Difference Between Experiment and Survey

Experiment and survey methods are highly important in data gathering. Both can be utilized to test hypotheses and come up with conclusions. Research through experiments involves the manipulation of an independent variable and measuring its effect on a dependent variable. On the other hand, conducting surveys often entails the use of questionnaires and/or interviews. The following paragraphs further delve into such differences.

What is an Experiment?

From the Latin word, “experior” which means “to attempt” or “to experience”, experiment is defined as testing a hypothesis by carrying out a procedure under highly controlled conditions. This makes the method ideal in studying primary data. By manipulating a certain independent variable, its effect on a dependent variable can be measured. A cause and effect relationship is verified by exposing participants to certain treatments. For instance, researchers can measure how water intake can affect people’s metabolism by letting the experimental group drink 8 glasses of water each day while the control group will only have 4 glasses. Their metabolism rates will then be compared after a week and statistical treatments like T-test will be employed to validate the results.

What is a Survey?

From the medieval Latin word, “supervidere” which means “to see”, survey is defined as having a comprehensive view of certain topics. Survey studies are largely conducted to look into people’s opinions, feelings, and thoughts. It is best suited for descriptive research which seeks to answer “what” questions regarding the respondents. Questionnaires are ideal in collecting information from a big population as they can be simultaneously administered to different groups and individuals. Survey questions can be sent to numerous respondents in both online and offline settings. For instance, researchers who are studying happiness levels among millennials floated questionnaires, made phone calls, and sent e-mails regarding the participants’ perceived emotional states. The data were then collated and statistical treatment such as getting the weighted mean was utilized to analyze the responses.

Difference between Experiment and Survey

1. Etymology of Experiment and Survey

Experiment came from the Latin word “experior” which means “to attempt” or “to experience” while survey came from the Latin word “supervidere” which means “to see”.

2. Source of Information of Experiment and Survey

Conducting an experiment enables the researchers to gather data from the result of the experimental treatment. On the other hand, surveys get information from the selected population.

3. Data

Experiments mainly deal with primary data while surveys can gather secondary data which are in line with descriptive research.

4. Research involved in Experiment and Survey

While survey is employed in descriptive research, the experimental method is noticeably used for experimental research.

5. Sample Sizes for Experiment and Survey

As compared to surveys, the sample sizes used in experiments are usually smaller. Since questionnaires can easily reach a number of people in various places, surveys can cover larger samples.

6. Fields

Many social and behavioral fields use the survey method in establishing facts while those in the physical and natural sciences basically employ experiments.

7. Laboratory Research for Experiment and Survey

Laboratory research usually makes use of experiments whereas field research largely profits from surveys.

8. Equipment needed for Experiment vs Survey

Experiments often use various equipment in facilitating treatments and in observing responses while surveys do not need such elaborate tools.

9. Analysis

Correlational analysis is crucial in surveys while causal analysis is vital in experiments.

10. Challenge

Regarding surveys, it is usually difficult to study in-depth and genuine responses as the questions are already set for all respondents and some of them may not actually reveal their true opinions. On the other hand, one common challenge in experiments is ascertaining if the change of behavior observed was really caused by the manipulation of the independent variable or other factors.

11. Cost for Experiment vs Survey

Conducting surveys is usually lest costly as compared to experiments as it is generally concerned with the sources in making questionnaires. As for experiments, researches need resources such as laboratories, equipment, and software.

12. Manipulation

Experiments involve the manipulation of the independent variable by giving different treatments to the control and experimental groups. As for surveys, the research participants are merely asked questions and this is done when manipulations are not possible.

13. Relationships

Experiments tests causal relationships by verifying if the independent variable significantly impacts the dependent variable. As for surveys, they usually assess naturally occurring and enduring variables.

14. Topic Range in Experiment vs Survey

As compared to experiments, surveys can be employed to look into a wider range of topics since the questions can be subdivided into different factors.

15. Randomization

Randomization practice is extremely crucial in establishing validity in experiments while such technique may or may not be employed in surveys.

Experiment vs Survey: Comparison table

Summary of Experiment Vs Survey

• Both experiment and survey methods are vital in collecting data.
• Experiment came from the Latin word “experior” which means “to attempt” or “to experience” while survey came from Latin word “supervidere” which means “to see”.
• Experiment mainly deals with primary data while surveys can cover both primary and secondary data.
• While experiments are often done with smaller samples, surveys can be effective with larger samples.
• Experiments are often concerned with laboratory research and causal analysis while surveys are mostly associated with field research and correlational analysis.
• As compared to surveys, conducting experiments is usually costlier due to the equipment and highly controlled conditions.
• Experiments cover more specific topics while surveys can assess a wider range of interests.

Sharing is caring!