Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What distinguishes quasi-experimental design from experimental design?

1. It is a type of observational study

2. It uses convenience sampling instead of random sampling

3. It is known as a survey

4. It does not have an intervention group

The correct answer is: It uses convenience sampling instead of random sampling

Quasi-experimental design is characterized primarily by its lack of random assignment of participants to treatment and control groups, which is a hallmark of true experimental design. While convenience sampling is often used in quasi-experimental studies, it is not the defining feature that separates it from experimental designs. The key distinction is that quasi-experimental designs utilize existing groups or conditions rather than randomly assigning subjects, making them particularly useful in real-world settings where random assignment is impractical or unethical. In the context of quasi-experimental studies, researchers may utilize existing groups that have been formed based on certain characteristics, allowing them to assess the effect of an intervention without the gold standard of randomization. This approach can still provide valuable insights, albeit with potentially more confounding variables and biases than randomized trials. The incorrect options pertain to characteristics that do not specifically distinguish quasi-experimental designs from experimental designs in a meaningful way. For example, while quasi-experimental designs can involve observational elements, they are fundamentally different due to the intervention aspect that is typically present. Similarly, the term 'survey' does not align with the experimental contexts, as surveys are more aligned with data collection methods rather than design classifications. Lastly, the presence of an intervention group is essential to both quasi-experimental and