experimental designs

Question 1

experimental design

Answer 1

the different ways in which participants can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions

Question 2

independent group design

Answer 2

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

Question 3

repeated measures

Answer 3

all participants take part in all conditions of the experiment

Question 4

matched pairs design

Answer 4

pairs of participants are first matched on some variables that may affect the dependent variable then 1 member of the pairs assigned to condition A and the other is to condition B

Question 5

independent groups - strength

Answer 5

order effects are not a problem whereas they are a problem for repeated measured designs - less likely to guess the aims

Question 6

independent groups - limitation

Answer 6

lack of validity - If a researcher finds a mean difference between the groups on the dependent variable this may be more to do with participant variables than the effects of the IV

Question 7

repeated measures - strength

Answer 7

participant variables are controlled and fewer participants variables are controlled and fewer participants are needed

Question 8

repeated measures - limitation

Answer 8

order effects - order of the experimetnal conditions influences the results of a study

solve: counterbalancing - when different participants take part in experimental conditions in different orders

Question 9

matched pairs - strength

Answer 9

control over participant variables so high internal validity

Question 10

matched pairs - limitation

Answer 10

time-consuming and expensive if a pre- test is required
- less economical than other designs