Quantitative Approach - Groups - Experimental Flashcards
What is the quantitative experimental approach?
Divide participants into groups
Manipulate explanatory factor so it is different for each group
Measure outcome measure and compare between groups
What is the quantitative experimental between subjects design?
Compare groups of subjects subjected to different levels of explanatory factor
What is the quantitative experimental within subject design?
Compare outcome measures for different levels of explanatory factor in same subjects
Both groups get both conditions then measure outcome
What are the advantages of the quantitative experimental within subjects design?
May be more ethical as both groups get same intervention
Need fewer people
Each subject acts as their own control excludes many confounding factors
Also reduces the effect of individual differences
What are the disadvantages of the quantitative experimental within subjects design?
Order effects: drug B may be influenced by drug A
Practice effect
Fatigue effect
Carry over - may not go back to baseline state after removal of drug A. BIG PROBLEM IN HEALTHCARE
What is counterbalancing?
Way of controlling order effects in within subjects design
Also known as cross over design
What is an experimental within subjects cross over design?
Two groups receive different treatments then swap
Average taken of results of both groups
Requires return to baseline after initial treatment
What are the advantages of an experimental group design?
If performed carefully, can eliminate alternative explanations
Best establishes cause and effect relationships
What are the disadvantages of the experimental group design?
Artificiality of experiments
Feasibility:
Some things are impossible to manipulate experimentally
Some things would be unethical to manipulate
Sometimes could be unethical:
Problems withholding treatment for control groups
Need to ensure that experimental manipulations are safe
