Describing research, study, or a method that does not involve the manipulation or control of variables by the researcher. Instead, it relies on observation, measurement, and analysis of existing data or phenomena. non-experimental methods aim to describe relationships, identify patterns, and explore correlations without establishing cause-and-effect relationships definitively. This approach is often employed when experimental manipulation is unethical, impractical, or impossible, and it is commonly used in fields such as observational studies, surveys, and qualitative research. non-experimental research prioritizes real-world observation and descriptive analysis.
Non-experimental meaning with examples
- The epidemiologist conducted a non-experimental study by analyzing medical records to investigate the prevalence of a disease within a specific population. This approach allowed for the identification of trends without intervention.
- A sociologist used a non-experimental survey to gather data on public opinions about social issues. The goal was to describe attitudes and correlations, not to change or control them through active manipulation.
- Researchers examined historical data to identify the impact of a natural disaster on a city's economic growth. The non-experimental analysis aimed to understand the correlation between the events.
- In a non-experimental classroom environment, teachers use observations, such as analyzing writing samples, to understand the varying learning styles of their students.
- The psychologist chose a non-experimental case study design, which involves the in-depth study of a single individual, to describe the progression of a specific mental health disorder.