Which statement is NOT a characteristic of experimental research?

• A. Research Subjects Are Randomly Selected and Placed into Groups for the Purpose of Manipulation
• B. Value Plays a Significant Part in Research
• C. Research Ideas Are Capable of Being Tested
• D. Results of Tests Made on the Groups Are Compared

Answer: (A)

Experimental research focuses on manipulating an independent variable and observing the effects while keeping other factors under control. The defining method is random assignment of subjects to different groups so that the groups are comparable at the start, making it possible to attribute observed differences to the manipulation rather than preexisting differences. However, random selection of subjects from a population is not required for an experiment to be valid; researchers often use convenience or non-random samples and still perform experimental manipulations and comparisons. So a statement that emphasizes random selection as part of the setup is not a fundamental characteristic of experimental research. The other ideas—having testable research ideas and comparing the results across groups to see the effect of the manipulation—fit the experimental approach, reinforcing that the core practice is controlled testing of hypotheses with group comparisons.