Experimental design

Question 1

Define independent groups

Answer 1

Participant are allocated to just one experimental condition.

Question 2

Define repeated measures

Answer 2

All participants take part in all experimental conditions.

Question 3

Define matched pairs

Answer 3

Participants paired on a variable and then one of each pair allocated to each experimental condition.

Question 4

Give two advantages of independent groups design

Answer 4

1. no order effects
2. less demand characteristics

Question 5

Give two disadvantages of independent groups design

Answer 5

1. participant variables have a bigger impact on results
2. need more participants

Question 6

Give two advantages of repeated measures design

Answer 6

1. participant variables are controlled
2. less participants needed

Question 7

Give two disadvantages of repeated measures design

Answer 7

1. more demand characteristics
2. order effects

Question 8

What are order effects

Answer 8

Occur in repeated measures design- repeating 2 tasks could create boredom or fatigue leading to deterioration in performance on second task. Or could lead to practise effects where participants’ performance improves.

Question 9

Give two disadvantages of using matched pairs

Answer 9

1. time consuming
2. not possible to control all participant variables

Question 10

Give one way to overcome order effects in repeated measure design

Answer 10

Counterbalancing

Question 11

Give two advantages of matched pairs design

Answer 11

1. Reduce impact of participant variables
2. Less demand characteristics