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Experimental Designs

via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

6 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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Experimental design plays a critical role in producing reliable, evidence-based research across academic and professional fields. This course explores the foundations of experimental design, including randomisation, control methods, trials, and ethical considerations, helping learners understand how to create valid and trustworthy research studies. Through structured explanations and practical examples, learners will gain insight into the importance of causal inference and rigorous experimentation. The course guides learners through the process of planning, executing, and evaluating experimental studies using both foundational and advanced approaches. Learners will explore pre-experimental, true experimental, and quasi-experimental methods while developing the skills needed to improve research quality, minimise bias, and strengthen validity in professional research settings. What makes this course unique is its balanced approach between theoretical understanding and practical implementation. Alongside core experimental concepts, learners will examine real-world research scenarios and reporting practices, enabling them to apply experimental methods effectively across diverse disciplines. This course is ideal for researchers, students, analysts, and professionals in psychology, healthcare, economics, education, and social sciences. A basic understanding of research methods is helpful, but the course supports both introductory and advanced learners seeking to strengthen their research design expertise. This course is based on the book Experimental Designs by Barak Ariel, Matthew Bland, and Alex Sutherland. Copyright ©2021 by Sage Publications Limited. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. Published by Sage Publications Limited, London. Used by arrangement with Sage Publications Limited.

Syllabus

Introduction

This module introduces the foundational concepts of causal inference, emphasizing the use of counterfactuals and the potential outcomes framework. Learners will explore the principles behind randomized controlled trials, internal validity, and the scientific criteria for establishing causality. The module also highlights the importance of causal designs in applied fields such as criminology and evidence-based policy.

R is for Random

This module explores the principles and procedures of randomisation in scientific research, focusing on how random assignment enhances causal inference and research validity. Learners will examine various randomisation techniques, including stratification, blocking, and minimisation, and understand their application in experimental design. The module also addresses challenges such as baseline imbalances and sample size considerations.

C is for Control

This module explores the key threats to internal and external validity in experimental research, including issues such as selection bias, maturation, instrumentation, and treatment spillover. Learners will discover strategies to enhance the reliability and generalizability of study findings, and examine real-world examples illustrating these challenges. By the end, participants will be equipped to critically assess and mitigate validity threats in research design.

T is for Trials (or Tests)

This module introduces key experimental design types, including pre-experimental, true experimental, and quasi-experimental approaches, and examines their impact on internal and external validity. Learners will explore common statistical tests, real-world case studies, and advanced techniques like propensity score matching to address validity threats in research. Practical examples from criminal justice and online safety contexts illustrate how these designs are applied in practice.

Running Experimental Designs

This module guides learners through the essential steps of planning, conducting, and reporting experimental research, with a focus on quality control, ethical considerations, and effective protocol development. Learners will explore the roles of field managers and pracademics, understand the importance of informed consent, and learn how to synthesize evidence using meta-analyses. By the end, participants will be equipped to ensure transparency, reliability, and ethical integrity in experimental designs.

Conclusions and Final Remarks

This module reviews the significance of randomisation in causal research, emphasizing the strengths and limitations of experimental designs such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Learners will explore threats to validity, the importance of choosing appropriate experimental methods, and ongoing debates about the use of experiments in policy evaluation.