An experimental research goes on to test a hypothesis and determine causation by the use of an independent and dependent variable. As a result, the study can have the most conclusive power in establishing cause and effect relationships between phenomena (Ary, Jacobs, Sorensen, & Walker, 2013). Such an experiment makes use of controls that ensure the variable being measured leaves the independent variable being constant. This paper selects a research design under experimental research for the research issue ‘prescription drug overdose’ and explores challenges with this design as well as possible approaches to overcome these challenges.
The research question in this case will be to determine if age is a precipitating factor to prescription drug overdose and misuse. The research design used will be random selection. In this case, groups of respondents will be chosen between different ages for interviewing on the proper use of prescription drugs. Respondents will be between the age of 12 and 30 to qualify as information providers in this study. The goal will be to determine whether the age factor can lead to prescription drug abuse or misuse.
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One of the challenges of random selection is that there is still an opportunity for bias because the equality of chance for each respondent being chosen is not there. Moreover, the chosen population could only represent the views of a particular population with certain characteristics. Additionally, obtaining a good sample can be quite challenging, especially in this case where we seek to determine the prescription drug usage of children up to the age of 12 (Furtak, Seidel, Iverson, & Briggs, 2012). Such a population may not openly participate in such a survey. Nonetheless, it is possible to obtain such information through a hospital for the ease of accessing such patients. As a result, the study could obtain this information randomly from a pre-identified group of individuals.
References
Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Sorensen, C. K., & Walker, D. (2013). Introduction to research in education. New York: Cengage Learning.
Furtak, E. M., Seidel, T., Iverson, H., & Briggs, D. C. (2012). Experimental and quasi-experimental studies of inquiry-based science teaching a meta-analysis. Review of educational research, 82(3) , 300-329.
