RM - Experimental Design

Question 1

What is an independent groups design?

Answer 1

Different ppts used in each condition, random allocation should be used to decide

Question 2

What are the two strengths of an independent groups design?

Answer 2

✅ Order effects cannot be observed, as no ppts will be used in more than one condition.

✅ Data collection is less time consuming, conditions can be conducted simultaneously.

Question 3

What are the two weaknesses of an independent groups design?

Answer 3

❌ Different ppts need to be recruited for each condition, difficult & expensive

❌ Risk of individual differences affecting the results between conditions

Question 4

What is a matched pairs design?

Answer 4

Pairs of ppts that are matched in terms of a key variable. One member of each pair is then placed into the experimental group and the other member into the control group

Question 5

What are two strengths of a matched pairs design?

Answer 5

✅ Order effects will not be observed as ppts only take part in one condition

✅ The tailored ppt matching process reduces the risk of ppt variables affecting results

Question 6

What are the two weaknesses of a matched pairs design?

Answer 6

❌ Different ppts need to be recruited for each condition

❌ Matching process is complex and time consuming. Difficult to match

Question 7

What is a repeated measures design?

Answer 7

The same ppts take part in each condition or the experiment

Question 8

What are the two strengths of a repeated measures design?

Answer 8

✅ The results will not be subject to individual differences, putting more confidence in the cause and effect relationship

✅ Same ppts used twice, means extra ppts do not need to be recruited

Question 9

What are the two weaknesses of a repeated measures design?

Answer 9

❌ Risk of observing order effects e.g practice/fatigue & demand characteristics

❌ If a ppt drops out, data will be lost from all conditions of the experiment rather than one