Experimental Research
Experimental research is one of the quantitative research method, where two sets of variables are set from the data collected. The researcher uses one set of data as a constant to measure the differences in the other variable. According to Lim et al. 2019 the experimental Trial to slow the progression of diabetes (TRIPOD) is a randomized controlled trial using wireless technology and incentives to present long term cost-effective interventions within the usual care of type two diabetes mellitus patients using the diabetes management package (DMP).
In the research experiment, a sample comprising of 339 was enrolled for the research. According to Lim et al. 2019, it was then randomly divided into three parallel arms where the first group of patients received usual care with no secondary interventions from their diabetes clinics. The second group of participants receives routine care as well as diabetes management packages. In addition to usual care and diabetes management package, the third group received financial incentives. The glycated hemoglobin levels were measured for 12 months and compared to the baseline parameters (Lim et al. 2019). There was a noted reduction in cost per quality-adjusted life in the second and third groups.
Quasi-Experimental Research
The quasi-experimental research study looks at two variables but lacks the randomization of the study. It is interested in the causal relationship between the two variables. For instance, a quasi-experimental study was conducted in pediatric wards to determine the interventional effects of audio-visual stimulation on hand hygiene compliance among the family and non-family visitors of the pediatric wards. According to Kim & Lee (2019), a total of 2787 both family and non-family members were observed entering into six pediatric wards at the university children’s hospital before and after interventions. Two interventions were done were in the first; a visual stimulation stressed the location of the hand sanitizer. The second intervention was an auditory stimulus a cue through a motion sensor speaker. There was a significant increase in the level of hand hygiene compliance with visual intervention. After the audio intervention the number increased further compared to the visual intervention alone (Kim & Lee, 2019). The number of members who observed before any intervention was meager, and audio-visual proved to be more effective compared to visual interventions.
Non-Experimental Research
Pressure ulcers are among the most expensive health disorders, and it occurs most in bedridden patients. According to Kim et al. 2009, a prospective non-experimental study was conducted to determine the most effective calculator for predicting pressure ulcer risk in the patient in the surgical intensive care unit in a Korean hospital. The three scales, Braden, Song and Choi, and the Cubbing and Jacksons scales, were used. A total of 150 adult males and females were selected within 48 hours, and various scales were administered in the risk assessment of the patients by two interns (Kim et al., 2009). The present cross-sectional correlational study showed that the Cubbing and Jackson scale was the better predictor of the risk of pressure ulcer development.
Comparison of the Methods
In experimental research, the researcher prepares a study to assess an experiment. The research is also known as the randomized control trial. The randomly selected groups receive different additional treatments and favor to test the efficiency of a method applied in mitigation of a health problem. In a quasi-experimental study, the researcher tends to answer the question of why things happen. There is no any form of randomization as in the quasi-experimental research. The quasi-experimental model otherwise uses a casual relation to compare the treatment group with the comparison group. In a non-experimental study, a correlation design looks at the relationship between different variables. The variables are therefore manipulated to come up with outcome correlation.
Reference
Kim, D., & Lee, O. (2019). Effects of Audio-Visual Stimulation on Hand Hygiene Compliance among Family and Non-Family Visitors of Pediatric Wards: A Quasi-Experimental Pre-post Intervention Study. Journal of pediatric nursing, 46, e92-e97.
Kim, E. K., Lee, S. M., Lee, E., & Eom, M. R. (2009). Comparison of the Predictive Validity among Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scales for Surgical ICU Patients. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 26(4), 87.
Lim, R. S. M., Gardner, D. S. L., Bee, Y. M., Cheung, Y. B., Bairavi, J., Gandhi, M & Tay, T. L. (2019). Trial to Slow the Progression of Diabetes (TRIPOD): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Using Wireless Technology and Incentives. Trials, 20(1), 650.