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Which study type is that? A guide to study types

Study and experiment types for Health Sciences and Medicine

Quasi-experimental


The quasi-experimental design is an intervention study aimed at testing the causal effects of an intervention on a target population, without the use of randomisation. While it shares similarities with traditional experimental design or randomised controlled trials, it specifically lacks the element of random allocation to treatment or control. Instead, quasi-experimental designs typically allow the researcher to control allocation to the treatment condition, but using a criterion rather than random allocation. (White & Sabarwal, 2014)

quasi-experimental study

Advantages

Quasi-experimental designs are typically easier to set up than true experimental designs that require random assignment of participants. 

Further reading and resources

  • Barker, T. H., Habibi, N., Aromataris, E., Stone, J. C., Leonardi-Bee, J., Sears, K., Hasanoff, S., Klugar, M., Tufanaru, C., Moola, S., & Munn, Z. (2024). The revised JBI critical appraisal tool for the assessment of risk of bias for quasi-experimental studies. JBI evidence synthesis, 22(3), 378–388. Full Text
     
  • Maciejewski, M. L. (2018). Quasi-experimental design. Biostatistics & Epidemiology, 4(1), 38–47. Full Text
     
  • Thyer, B. A. (2012). Quasi-experimental research designs. Oxford University Press. Catalogue Link
     
  • White, H., & Sabarwal, S. (2014). Quasi-experimental design and methods. Methodological briefs: impact evaluation, 8(2014), 1-16. Full Text

Example

Riddle, D. L., Keefe, F. J., Nay, W. T., McKee, D., Attarian, D. E., & Jensen, M. P. (2011). Pain coping skills training for patients with elevated pain catastrophizing who are scheduled for knee arthroplasty: a quasi-experimental study. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 92(6), 859–865. Full Text

Other quasi-experimental study types

Before-After Studies

Interrupted Time Series (ITS) Design

Controlled Before-After Studies

Regression Discontinuity Design

Propensity Score Matched Studies

Cohort Studies with Historical Controls

Time Series with Non-Equivalent Control Group

Natural Experiments

Instrumental Variable Approach

 

 

 


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