Experimental and quasi-experimental research in information systems

There are numerous research methods and methodologies, which have been used in different fields of study. Crucially, not all of these approaches are appropriate for every project since they feature individual characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, which may make them appropriate for one project of study but unsuitable for another. Some fields of study, such as those examining social environments or human activity systems, are highly complex and it is necessary to investigate them by undertaking research in real time and within their own natural settings. Experimental research is appropriate for such studies as it enables researchers to study the real world in real time. Experimental research is cited as one of the few research strategies, which enables researchers to study cause and effect directly. It has been used in fields of study such as science, social science, information systems, software engineering and psychology. Different types of experimental research exist, such as controlled, laboratory and true experiments as well as also quasi-experiments. Despite it possessing such adaptability, experimental research has been criticised because of its lack of generalisability. This paper first defines experimental research and then proposes quasi-experiment research as one of its most used instantiations. In order to establish the importance and applicability of these research approaches, this paper will explore both weaknesses and strengths of these methodologies.