Experimental Design A1 Flashcards
What is the Experimental Design?
The different ways participants are organised in relation to the experimental conditions
Define Independent Groups
Ppts allocated to different groups and each groups experiences a different condition
Define Repeated Measures
When all ppts experience all conditions in the study
Define Matched Pairs
When ppts are first matched on some variable that may affect the DV, then on member experiences on condition and the other experiences another
Which of the Experimental Designs are ‘Related Designs’
Matched Pairs
Repeated Measures
Which of the Experimental Designs are ‘Unrelated Designs’
Independent Groups
What are the weaknesses of Independent Groups?
- Expensive (more ppts needed)
- Individual Differences of ppts can effect the DV more than the IV
How can researchers deal with individual differences in Independent Groups?
By using Random Allocation
What is a Strength of Independent Groups?
- Less Order Effects
- Demand Characteristics are less likely
What are the weaknesses of Repeated Mesures?
- Order Effects (order of tasks may be significant and ppts may get bored/tired thus affecting their preformance)
- Demand Characteristics are more likely
How can researchers deal with order effects in Repeated Measures?
Through the use of conterbalancing
Define Counterbalancing
An attempt to control order effects where half of the ppt experience the conditions in one order and the other half in the opposite order
Group 1 – A, B
Group 2 – B, A
AKA ABBA technique
What are the strengths of Repeated Measures?
- Cheap (Less ppts)
- Participant Variables are controlled
What are the weaknesses of Matched Pairs?
- Ppts cant be matched exactly, so important differences can still affect the DV
- Time consuming and expensive due to pre-testing
What are the strengths of Matched Pairs?
- Fewer order effects
- Demand Characteristics are unlikely
