Ref. request : book or survey about conducting experimental studies

Question

I am currently conducting researches that are almost mainly theoretical (I am a TCS researcher gone rogue = I also work on applying theory stuff to real life problems). In the future I plan to conduct several large experimental studies involving technical experiments AND human validation of the results.

I am a neophyte in conducting this kind of very large studies involving technicalities and "humanities". I ask around and search on the web for a textbook about this matter and do not find any comprehensive resource.

So the question : do you have any pointer to a book/survey/other explaining the whole process of a large scale experimental study? It can be from any domain.

Answer 1

I would say that the classic in experimental social science methodology is Shadish & Cook's "Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference".

It covers various forms of experimental research design and also go into considerable detail in explaining the logic and practical steps of each.

Answer 2

The best book about experimental studies you can read is surely Sidereus Nuncius by Galileo Galilei, the father of modern science.

That book was published first in 1610, but it's still very current. It explains to you how Galileo Galilei built his technologies (the telescope) and how he run up his experiments to discover new stars and planets.

Definetely, a must-read book for every scientist.