What type of research question is typically addressed using quasi-experimental designs?

Quasi-experimental designs are specifically utilized to examine the effects of interventions or treatments when random assignment to groups is not feasible or ethical. This type of research question is particularly relevant for understanding causal relationships, as it focuses on how a specific intervention influences an outcome while acknowledging the natural allocation of participants to groups based on pre-existing characteristics rather than through random assignment.

In cases where randomization is not possible, researchers can still gather valuable insights about the effectiveness of an intervention using quasi-experimental designs. This could include studies conducted in natural settings where individuals are assigned to treatment or control groups based on criteria other than randomization. The value lies in its ability to approximate experimental conditions and still provide evidence about the impact of an intervention.

This contrasts with other research questions, such as those that explore unmeasured variables, demographic characteristics, or sampling methods, which do not specifically involve interventions or effects measured without random assignment. These questions are better suited for descriptive or correlational designs rather than quasi-experimental approaches.