The experimental classical experimental design is a research methodology is commonly used in the discipline of psychology. The main elements of the design include a dependent and independent variable, pre-testing, post-testing, and experimental control group. Independent variable is a variable that is manipulated to cause or incur a change in the dependent variable. The dependent variable, therefore, is a variable that is subjected to a study in an experiment. The dependent variable is influenced by a change in an independent variable ( Thompson & Panacek, 2006) . Hence, one of the aims of classical experimental design is to determine how independent variables influence the dependent variable.
Pre-testing is the determination or measurement of a dependent variable during an experiment. It is the first step that is taken to measure the dependent variable. Post-testing, on the other hand, occurs when a dependent variable is measured again after independent variables have been introduced ( Thompson & Panacek, 2006) . The experimental classical experimental always involve pre-testing and post-testing to determine the influence of an independent variable on a dependent variable.
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Experiment group refers to a collection of subjects that are subjected to both dependent and independent variables ( Thompson & Panacek, 2006) . Experiment group is sometimes known as the treatment group because it is a collection of subjects that are treated in an experiment. Therefore, it is a group of subjects that is subjected to experimental procedures. Also, the control group is an element of the classical experimental design, and it refers to a collection of subjects where independent variables are not administered. Control group is always separated from the experiment so that the independent variables do not influence it. Control group plays a critical role in the situation where the experimental conditions are complex while at the same time not easy to isolate.
Is the Design Especially Useful in Dealing with Causal Relationships?
Yes, the classical experimental design is useful in dealing with causal relationships. Like any other experimental design, the classical experimental design is always unique because of their ability to establish the casualty mainly because the researcher can control both the variables and the research environments, including conditions ( Thompson & Panacek, 2006) . The objective of the design is to determine the presence or absence of a causal relationship between dependent and independent variables. The ability of the design to determine the causal relationship is one of the main reasons why it has dependent and independent variables as its key elements. Hence the classical experimental design can be used to determine the causal relationship between variables. For instance, it can be used to determine the success of children in life is caused by the type of parenting strategies or approaches used by parents.
Usefulness of a Classical Experimental Design in Studying Real-World Situations
The classical experimental design is useful in studying real-world situations because it can appropriate be used to draw causal relationships about a given intervention. At the same time, the design can be used to conclude how a change in some factors or viable can affect a phenomenon ( Thompson & Panacek, 2006) . Therefore, because researchers can control extraneous variable, the design can effectively be used to study real-world situations. For instance, classical experimental design can be used to study why some children develop deviant behaviors while others do not. The researchers can control the environment of experimental research to determine why some children develop deviant behaviors. Hence, the design can be applied in the real-world situations.
References
Thompson, C. B., & Panacek, E. A. (2006). Research study designs: experimental and quasi- experimental. Air Medical Journal , 25 (6), 242-246.
