Choosing Between Correlational Study and Experimental Study (Essay Sample)

Choosing Between Correlational Study and Experimental Study
Psychologists often use different designs to study children's developmental issues. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an example of a childhood developmental challenge. Although the causes of the conditions are not known, medical professionals are constantly researching the predisposing factors together with new interventions. Correlational and experimental studies are mostly used in such investigations (Cummings & Sanders, 2019). However, each research design is well suited for distinct situations. In the case of designing a research study to determine the effects of a new medication to treat ADHD, experimental research is appropriate. An experimental study gives more control over variables and allows for reliable conclusions of cause and effect.
Given that the objective of the study is to determine the effects of the new medicine on the disorder, the perfect research is the one that permits the manipulation of variables. In the case of ADHD, the researcher needs to have control over the quantity of medicine to observe the effects on the patient. Hence, the experimental study perfectly fits the investigation for determining the new ADHD drug. Other than control over variables, experimental design is advantageous since the results are conclusive (Cummings & Sanders, 2019). However, the only limitation of the experimental study is time. The research method is quite demanding, meaning it takes a long period to achieve the results. Concerning correlational research, the edge is it provides comparisons between groups but does not warrant control over the variables. The researchers observe and measure