Experimental design AO1

Question 1

what is an experimental design?

Answer 1

• the different ways in which participants can be organised in relation to the experimental condition.

Question 2

what are independant group designs?

Answer 2

• participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition
• would then compare and calculate a mean if needed.

Question 3

what are repeated measures?

Answer 3

• all participants take part in all conditions of the experiment.
• a mean would then be calculated if needed.

Question 4

explain what a matched pair design is

Answer 4

• pairs of participants are matched on some variables that may affect the dependant variable.
• then one member of the pair is assigned to condition A and the other to condition B.

Question 5

what is random allocation?

Answer 5

• an attempt to control for participant variables in an independent groups design which ensures that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other.

Question 6

what is counterbalancing

Answer 6

• an attempt to control for the effects of order in a repeated measures design; half the participants experience the conditions in one order, and the other half experience it in the opposite order.