Experimental Design

Question 1

Experimental design

Answer 1

Refers to the different ways in which the testing of PPs can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions

Question 2

Independent Groups

Answer 2

Participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition

Question 3

Independent Groups

Strengths

Answer 3

• Order effects are not a problem

- PPs are less likely yo guess aims

Question 4

Independent Groups

Limitations

Answer 4

• The PPs who occupy different are not the same
• If a researcher finds a mean difference between the groups on the DV this may be due to individual differences rather than effects of IV

To deal with this, researchers use random allocation

Question 5

Repeated Measures

Answer 5

All PPs take part in all conditions of the experiment

Question 6

Repeated Measures

Strengths

Answer 6

• Participant variables are controlled and fewer PPs are needed

Question 7

Repeated Measures

Limitations

Answer 7

• Each participant has to do 2 tasks and order may be significant
• Order effects may arise
• Demand characteristics are more prominent

Question 8

Matched Pairs

Answer 8

Pairs of participants are first matched on some variable(s) that may affect the DV.
Then one member of the pair is assigned to Condition A and the other to Condition B

Question 9

Matched Pairs

Strengths

Answer 9

• PPs only take part in a single condition so order effects and demand characteristics are less of a problem

Question 10

Matched Pairs

Limitations

Answer 10

• Time consuming
• Expensive (esp if a pre-test is required)
• Less economical than others