Designing Social Experiments

Research professionals must understand the basic goals and approaches to research as well as the fundamental concepts used in designing sound, valid, and reliable studies. They must understand the various ways in which a research study can be designed and select the best design for the specific situation including qualitative quantitative, indirect, survey, and other types of research designs. They must also know how to professionally and effectively communicate study findings and observations in written and verbal forms. Finally, those involved in research must understand the ethical principles that must be followed. Specifically, this badge demonstrates the earner's ability to explain effective ways to design research studies to effectively measure relationships between variables including ethical considerations.