what is an experimental study

An experimental study is a type of research study in which a treatment, procedure, or program is intentionally introduced, and a result or outcome is observed. Unlike a descriptive study, an experiment is a study in which something is purposefully changed by the researcher in the environment, and control is used to prevent outside factors from influencing the study outcome. True experiments have four elements: manipulation, control, random assignment, and random selection. Manipulation means that something is purposefully changed by the researcher in the environment, while control is used to prevent outside factors from influencing the study outcome. Random assignment and random selection are used to ensure that the study sample is representative of the target population and that the results can be generalized to the population. Experimental studies are used to demonstrate a known truth, to examine the validity of a hypothesis, or to determine the efficacy of something previously untried. They provide strong support for causal conclusions.