1.6 Research Methods - Experimental Designs Flashcards
Independent groups
Participants allocated to different groups, each group takes part in one of these conditions
Strengths of Independent groups
- No order effects
- Less chance of demand characteristics
- Same materials can be used
Limitations of independent groups
- Can lead to participant variables
- More people required so more expensive
Repeated measures design
All participants take part in all conditions
Strengths of Repeated measures
- No individual differences between groups
- Less participants needed so cheaper
Limitations of repeated measures
- Order effects
Matched Pairs Design
Participants matched on some variables prior to research being conducted via a questionnaire or test. What they are matched on depends on the experiment
Strengths of Matched Pairs
- Fewer participant variables so no order effects
- Lower risk of demand characteristics
- Same materials used in all conditions
Limitations of Matched Pairs
- Matching can be difficult and time consuming
- More participants needed compared to other designs
Counterbalancing
Technique used to avoid order effects. Sample is divided in half, one completed the conditions in one order and the other in the reverse order
Random allocation
Method of gaining participants whereby each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected