Manipulation of the independent variable is what distinguishes experimental research from non-experimental and quasi-experimental designs. In true experimental research, the researcher deliberately manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect on the dependent variable, allowing for the determination of cause-and-effect relationships.
[Reference: Helwig, A. A. (2020). CPCE Study Guide and Review; Royse, D., Thyer, B. A., & Padgett, D. K. (2016). Program Evaluation: An Introduction., ]
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