Experimental designs

• Repeated measures


  Participants take part in both conditions
• Strength of repeated measures design?

  Controls for participant variables
• Weakness of repeated measures design?

  High risk of demand characteristics (order effects)
• Matched pairs


  Participants are matched on important variables relevant in the study and each participant takes part in one condition only and then data is compared
• Strength of matched pairs design?

  Reduces risk for demand characteristics (order effects)

  Control for participant variables - HOWEVER you cant get a perfect match
• Weakness of matched pairs design?

  You cant get a perfect match therefore there still may be participant variables
• Independent measures


  Participants take part in one conditions only and then compared to a different group of people
• Strength of independent measures design?


  Low risk of demand characteristics (order effects)
• Weakness of independent measures design?


  Does not control for participant variables