6. Experimental Design

Question 1

What are Independent Groups

Answer 1

There are 2 separate groups of participants. One group takes part in condition A, the other takes part in condition B

Question 2

Advantages of Independent Groups

Answer 2

• No order effects - only take part in one condition, so dont get bored or practiced
• Fewer demand characteristics - participants may only know their condition

Question 3

Disadvantages of Independent Groups

Answer 3

• Individual differences as the ppl taking part in each condition are different - one group might simply be better at that task
• More participants needed

Question 4

What are Repeated Measures

Answer 4

There is only 1 group of participants. This group takes part in both conditions

Question 5

Advantages of Repeated Measures

Answer 5

• No individual differences as the same person does both conditions
• Less participants needed

Question 6

Disadvantages of Repeated Measures

Answer 6

• Order effects - either boredom of practice. (can be helped by counterbalancing)
• Demand characteristics - participants know what the experimenters are expecting & may perform to meet that expectation. Also the measure has to be changed, eg 2 sets of words to memorise

Question 7

What is Matched Pairs

Answer 7

There are 2 separate groups, but this time they are matched into pairs for certain qualities (eg, age, intelligence, physical appearance). One of each pair takes part in condition A, the other takes part in condition B

Question 8

Advantages of Matched Pairs

Answer 8

• No order effects
• Control for individual differences. Can be more sure the IV caused differences in DV rather than big differences between the 2 groups

Question 9

Disadvantages of Matched Pairs

Answer 9

• Can be difficult to make perfect matches and is costly on money & time