Description: Quasi-experimental design is a research approach that seeks to evaluate the impact of an intervention or treatment without the random assignment of participants to control and experimental groups. Unlike randomized experiments, where subjects are randomly assigned, quasi-experimental designs use groups that already exist or are formed in a non-random manner. This can include studies in natural settings, where researchers cannot control all variables but still wish to measure the effect of an intervention. Key characteristics of this design include group comparison, pre-and post-intervention outcome measurement, and the use of statistical methods to control for confounding variables. Although quasi-experimental designs may be less rigorous than randomized experiments, they are valuable in situations where randomization is not ethical or practical, such as in social sciences or public health studies. Their relevance lies in the ability to provide evidence on the effectiveness of interventions in real-world contexts, which can be crucial for decision-making in policies and practices.
