Leveraging effectuation for original experiments

Effectuation is a means-driven approach where individuals leverage existing resources, focus on affordable loss, and form partnerships to navigate uncertain environments and create outcomes through flexible strategies rather than predetermined plans. An effectual stance encourages researchers to imagine and design a new experiment using the available means rather than seeking means to achieve a predefined experiment. We explore whether adopting an effectual stance can facilitate the design and implementation of original experiments. Experimentalists have been trained to use a causation approach, but we show how effectuation can help overcome resource constraints and initiate new experiments in unexpected directions. We support our insights with quotes and anecdotal evidence from experienced researchers. Finally, we underline how experimentalists can learn to combine the best of both worlds.