Experimental Design

Question 1

Independant groups

Answer 1

Each participant only undertakes one condition - some experience the IV and some act as the control

Question 2

Independant groups - Strengths

Answer 2

As each participant undertakes one condition there is no risk of order effects and reduced risk of demand characteristics

Question 3

Independant groups - Weaknesses

Answer 3

Individual differences there maybe a bias in the charecteristics or abilities of participants that affects performance on conditions.
More participants are needed than repeated measuers

Question 4

Independant groups - Counter measures

Answer 4

Participants should be randomly allocated to conditions

Question 5

Repeat measures - Strengths

Answer 5

As participants act as their own control, individual differneces are controlled.
More economic than independant measures.

Question 6

Matched pairs

Answer 6

Two different groups of participants are used. Charecteristics thought to be relevant to the study are identified and participants are paired on those variables. One member of each pair has to be placed in each condition

Question 7

Repeat measures - Weaknesses

Answer 7

Order effect - the second condition maybe benefitted by practice or undermined by fatigue or boredom.
The second condition in contrast to the first might reveal the hypothesis and the participant could change their behavior on the second condition.

Question 8

Repeat measures - Counter measures

Answer 8

Counter balancing should be used to avoid order effects.

Each condition is tested first or second in equal amounts.

Question 9

Matched pairs - Counter measures

Answer 9

A pilot study may be needed to identify key variables.