experimental design Flashcards
what are independent groups?
each participant only takes part in one condition of experiment
what are the strengths of independent groups?
● no order effects - participants only tested once
● less likely to guess aim and show demand characteristics
what are the limitations of independent groups?
participants variables - two groups are different
what are repeated measures?
all participants take part in both conditions of experiment
what are the strengths of repeated measures?
● no participants variables as same people are used in both conditions
● fewer participants needed - saves time and money
what are the limitations of repeated measures?
● order effects
● more likely to guess aim and show demand characteristics
what are matched pairs?
● participant matched on key characteristics that are thought to influence experiment
● then one participant from each pair allocated to a different condition of experiment
what are the strengths of matched pairs?
● participant variables are controlled due to matching process
● no order effects
● less demand characteristics
what are the limitations of matched pairs?
● time consuming
● can’t control all participant variables
what are order effects?
● order of conditions affecting participants behaviour
● e.g. performance in second condition better due to participants knowing what to do
performance might be worse in second condition as they are tired
what are demand characteristics?
● participants change behaviour as a result of being in experimental situation
● might deliberately under preform / act in a way they think is expected and over preform
● behaviour no longer natural and acts as an extraneous variable
