title: The basic experimental design.
abstract: This article considers the three characteristics of the basic experiment (random assignment of subjects, manipulation of relevant variables and control of irrelevant variables) and describes the two most common experimental designs: the pre-test/post-test design and the post/test only design. The necessity of controlling for subject and situational variables is highlighted and the challenge researchers face when using experimental approaches in other than laboratory situations are addressed briefly.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Behi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research; D011897:Random Allocation; D012107:Research Design