Laboratory mode of the experimental design presumes the possibility of controlling variables, so we need to have a good idea what and how many variables need to be controlled


And, there is a presumption that we know how to measure dependent and independent variables, that is, that we can identify indicators (eg Warschauer used word count as an indicator for level of participation)


But, phenomena/settings are often new or relatively unexplored. In such circumstances, we might adopt a more exploratory design.

from: Warschauer's findings

to: Ito et al