experimental design

Question 1

what are independent groups?

Answer 1

each participant only takes part in one condition of experiment

Question 2

what are the strengths of independent groups?

Answer 2

● no order effects - participants only tested once

● less likely to guess aim and show demand characteristics

Question 3

what are the limitations of independent groups?

Answer 3

participants variables - two groups are different

Question 4

what are repeated measures?

Answer 4

all participants take part in both conditions of experiment

Question 5

what are the strengths of repeated measures?

Answer 5

● no participants variables as same people are used in both conditions

● fewer participants needed - saves time and money

Question 6

what are the limitations of repeated measures?

Answer 6

● order effects

● more likely to guess aim and show demand characteristics

Question 7

what are matched pairs?

Answer 7

● participant matched on key characteristics that are thought to influence experiment

● then one participant from each pair allocated to a different condition of experiment

Question 8

what are the strengths of matched pairs?

Answer 8

● participant variables are controlled due to matching process

● no order effects

● less demand characteristics

Question 9

what are the limitations of matched pairs?

Answer 9

● time consuming

● can’t control all participant variables

Question 10

what are order effects?

Answer 10

● 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

Question 11

what are demand characteristics?

Answer 11

● 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