Research Design Essay: Evaluation of the Design of an Experiment

1578 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Experimental design questions

Research Design Essay: Evaluation of the Design of an Experiment
The ability to describe and critically assess a design of any research trial can be beneficial in many various aspects. Firstly, it can assist in maintaining current knowledge through reading other empirical researches, developing critical and analytical thinking skills and to practice the research process in order to carry out further studies (Christensen et al., 2014). In the current trial, similar techniques will be employed to critically describe and assess the design in terms of raising any issues related to the experimental design. The present trial consists of an environmental psychologist hired to assess a data entry company’s employees work stations. The psychologist recommended ergonomic computer keyboards and ergonomic chairs to increase productivity and decrease negative physical symptoms. An experimental research was subsequently carried out to help the employer choose which ergonomic aid is more effective. This essay will attempt to critically assess the research design and suggest any possible improvements.
The independent variables observed are Ergonomic Aids and Work Teams. Both the variables are categorical and the method of manipulation is individual differences. They are tested between groups and each variable has two levels of IV: Ergonomic aid: Chair/Keyboard; Work Teams: Main Data Entry Team/Rush Order Entry Team. The Ergonomic Keyboard was operationalized by the ability to record the speed of data entry over a fixed period. Ergonomic chair was operationalized by completing a questionnaire recording how many work-related health symptoms they had experienced since the last assessment. The Work Teams were operationalized by ensuring that partic...

... middle of paper ...

... of the extraneous variables have a great chance on confounding the study, which could have provided alternative explanations for the results.

References
Berg, K.E. & Latin, R.W. (2008). Essentials of Resarch Methods in Health, Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Recreation. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Christensen, L., Johnson, R., & Turner, L. (2014). Resarch Methods, Design and Analaysis: Compiled for PYB210 Research Design and Data Analysis. New South Wales, NSW: Pearson Australia.
Ghilani, C.D. (2010). Adjustment Computations: Spatial Data Analysis. New Jersey, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Salkind, N.J. (2010). Encyclopedia of Resarch Design [Adobe Digital Editions version]. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/978142861288.n174
Weseley, A.J. & McEntarffer, R. (2010). Barron’s AP Psychology. New York, NY: Barron’s Educational Series.

Show More
Related

  • Musculoskeletal System Case Study

    1189 Words  | 3 Pages

    As technology improves and time on the computer increases, symptoms for these diseases begin to appear more frequently. Sitting on the computer for hours on end makes you prone to developing a musculoskeletal disease since you are not being active or exercising your muscles. Ardahan and Simsek (2015) analyze the interaction and affect on excessive computer work and disease in the musculoskeleton. Their study includes 490 participants who work in a government office in Turkey, and observe how their bodies were reacting to their work environment, excluding workers who are already struggling with pain coming from a previous disease. Results were taken from the experiment by filling out questionnaires that attempted to document the level of discomfort that they experienced. More than 25% were discovered to not take a break during their session on the computer, but found that the average amount of time spent on the computer was 7 hours. The workers recorded musculoskeletal pain symptoms mainly in the neck area and back. Age was not a determinant factor when it came to being more prone to experiencing these symptoms. In some of the results, it was found that women are more likely to have pain in certain areas in comparison to men, and overall dealt with more pain. The data from the study proved that the more use you get on the computer, the more likely you are to develop symptoms of a disorder in your musculoskeletal system. To ensure that you don’t suffer through the pain, the results show that taking breaks from long computer usage is beneficial. It’s important to relax your muscles and keep them active instead of staring at a computer for more than 7 hours with no breaks in

    Read More

  • Improved Occupational Therapy for Adults with Learning Disabilities

    2912 Words  | 6 Pages

    STEIN, F., SODERBACK, I., CUTLER, S., LARSON, B., 2006. Occupational therapy and ergonomics. Applying ergonomic principals to everyday occupation in the home and at work. London: Whurr Publishers.

    Read More

  • Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health

    1803 Words  | 4 Pages

    Zengul, F.D. & O’ Connor, S.J. (2013). A review of evidence based design in healthcare

    Read More

  • Ergonomics In The Workplace

    1698 Words  | 4 Pages

    Proper ergonomic conditions prevent injuries to workers and allow them to work efficiently. Ergonomics reduces costs. Workers that do not have a good ergonomic workspace can suffer from pain and uncomfortable posture which is dealt with money spent on treatment. In Canada $800 000 000 per year goes to ergonomic related injuries. Appropriate ergonomic workspaces create an anti-injury space for workers. Ergonomics also increases worker’s productivity by designing a work place with good posture, good heights, fewer motions, and less exertion. Thus making the workspace more efficient for the worker. Ergonomics also

    Read More

  • What Is Occupational Therapy Essay

    1563 Words  | 4 Pages

    A., de Rijk, A., Van Hoof, E., & Donceel, P. 2011). The therapist has to assess the patient to see if they have a need for splints or supports which may benefit the patient and then step in to help design the specific assistive devices needed. It is the job of the occupational therapist to come up with plans to overcome the inconvenient limitations while still helping the patient to reduce strain and prevent further damage by teaching them techniques that will conserve their energy. There are a variety of different ways to make daily living much easier. The most crucial part of therapy is assessing the patient's environment. All the people, cultural conditions and physical objects that are around them, create their environment. The behavior and development of people is a direct result of the interaction between them and their surroundings. A patient's behavior is greatly affected when they are mismatched with their environment. A person's environment match is present when the person's level of competence matches the demands of the environment. Full participation by the patient is required to make it practicable. “The science and practice of occupational therapy are well suited to develop, refine, and test approaches to translate therapeutic gains into

    Read More

  • Psycho Research Analysis Essay

    558 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the world of cinema, there’s almost always a discussion regarding what scenes would be suitable for the grasping imagination of any audience, young or old. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film, Psycho, sparked a plug for the movie industry as it was the first movie of its kind to display such graphic scenes of sex and violence to a worldwide audience.

    Read More

  • Regression Analysis Essay

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    indicates towards a fraud. On eof the most important qualities or benefits of this model is that it understands the pattern in the data and generates the result. Once the result is generated the model checks as to how close was the result from the actual results. Based on this analysis the model adjusts its weights to give an accurate result the next time. Once this model has been trained to give accurate results, it can be used to analyze other data as well. Even when Neural Networks are widely accepted, they are not really used that much in the marketing industry merely by the fact that data preparation for this model is very complex time consuming as compared to the Regression Analysis. The marketers are much comfortable using the Regression Analysis over Neural Networks because of the ease of interpreting the results in the Regression Analysis.

    Read More

  • Quantitative Research Article Critique

    1647 Words  | 4 Pages

    Quantitative Research Article Critique This paper is an academic critique of an article written by Lautrette, et al. (2007) titled: “A Communication Strategy and Brochure for Relatives of Patients Dying in the ICU” and accurately reflected the content of the article and the research study itself. The abstract explains the article in more detail, while remaining concise.

    Read More

  • Maxwell's Interactive Model Of Research Design Case Study

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    Planning or conducting a study requires research and a good design. “A good design, one in which the components work harmoniously together, promoting efficient and successful functioning; a flawed design leads to poor operation or failure” (Maxwell, 2013, p. 2). When conducting research, the research questions are the normal starting point. They are what drives the study and, therefore, the piece that controls the design which all other components must follow (Maxwell, 2013). With the research questions at the center of the design, unlike typical research models, the interactive model of research design is connected in such a way as to provide

    Read More

  • Usability Essay

    714 Words  | 2 Pages

    Any user that ventures unto a specific website seeks explicit information, and if that user is unable to find said information, that user is more likely to leave the site and find a site more accommodating to his/her needs. It is the function of the navigation menu to aid users in locating what material is being sought. According to Eccher (2015, p.70), usability and maintainability are two important concerns when creating the navigation menus of a website and that the menu is a key element of effective website design (Eccher, 2015, p. 70). Usability as it relates to navigation bars will be discussed below, while maintainability will be addressed not only as it applies to navigating a website, but also as it relates to keeping website current for users to able to navigate the site.

    Read More

  • Scientific Method Essay

    916 Words  | 2 Pages

    investigators take from the crime scene. With scientific methods it helps investigators to produce a

    Read More

  • Essay On Office Ergonomics

    1499 Words  | 3 Pages

    Office ergonomics was developed in a bid to better the already good working environment (Lauren, 2006). This helps individuals operating machines give their best job results as well as maximizing production. As production is increased, risks of injury are greatly red...

    Read More

  • Mixed Method Research Essay

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

    But human rights is a complex social concept. The quantity or intensity of violations is only one of several relevant dimensions.

    Read More

  • Experiment: My Social Experiment

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    My social experiment, took way too much thought to complete. I could not think about what I should do for this project until about noon on that beautiful Sunday. I invited a couple of friends to go with me to Walmart, but I was unsuccessful and I only got one friend to accompany me. Even so, we had fun.

    Read More

  • Evolution Of Time Studies Essay

    2772 Words  | 6 Pages

    ... The use of work sampling can supplement the use of time studies and save time and resources. Human factors have had a tremendous influence on work design. Ergonomics plays a major role in the ways industrial engineers design the work to fit the human operators. In doing so, they can elevate the worker’s well-being and the entire system performance. A time study is still a useful tool with the goal of increasing efficiency that should include the additional objective of providing a safe and healthy work environment. (Muchinsky 2009)

    Read More

More about Research Design Essay: Evaluation of the Design of an Experiment

Open Document