What is a characteristic feature of quasi-experimental design?

A characteristic feature of quasi-experimental design is that it lacks random assignment. In quasi-experimental studies, researchers examine the effect of an intervention or treatment by utilizing pre-existing groups or conditions rather than randomly assigning participants to different groups. This absence of random assignment often results from practical or ethical constraints, making it difficult to control for all potential confounding variables.

Quasi-experimental designs still allow researchers to manipulate independent variables and observe their effects on dependent variables, but without the element of randomization, there is an increased risk that external factors could influence the results. This means that while such studies can provide valuable insights, they may have limitations in terms of internal validity due to the potential for selection bias and other confounding variables that are not as easily controlled when random assignment is not employed.