Experimental Designs

Question 1

What are experimental designs?

Answer 1

Refers to the way in which participants are organised in an experiment

Question 2

What are independent groups - + strengths and limitations

Answer 2

Participants only take part in one condition of the experiment. (2 separate groups)
+ no order effects
- participant variables

Question 3

What are repeated measures - + strengths and limitations

Answer 3

All participants take part in all of the conditions of the experiment (1 group)
+ requires fewer participants
- order effects

Question 4

What are matched pairs - + strengths and limitations

Answer 4

Pairs of participants are matched in terms of key variables eg age, IQ. One member of each pair does each condition.
+ no ppt variables
- may not be possible to completely match pairs