experimental design

• What are the two levels of the independent variable (IV) mentioned?


  TV on and TV off
• What is the term used to describe how the two levels of the IV are delivered?


  Experimental design
• What are the types of experimental design mentioned?

  • Repeated measures design
  • Independent groups design
  • Matched pairs design
• In a repeated measures design, what do all participants receive?


  All levels of the IV
• What is an example of a task participants might do in a repeated measures design?


  A memory test with the TV on
• How do researchers compare performance in a repeated measures design?


  By comparing the performance (DV) on two tests
• What is counterbalancing in experimental design?


  An experimental technique used to overcome order effects
• In an independent groups design, how are participants assigned?


  Participants are placed in separate (independent) groups
• Why is counterbalancing important in a repeated measures design?


  It ensures that each condition is tested first or second in equal amounts
• What does Group A do in an independent groups design?


  Group A does the task with TV on
• What is experimental design?


  • A set of procedures used to control variables
  • Ensures validity and reliability of results
  • Can include various methodologies (e.g., between-subjects, within-subjects)
• What is a limitation of the independent groups design?


  It needs more participants than repeated measures design
• What is an order effect in the context of repeated measures design?


  It is when the order of conditions affects performance
• What is a practice effect?


  Participants may perform better on the second test due to practice
• What is a boredom effect?


  Participants may do worse on the second test due to boredom
• How might participants guess the purpose of an experiment?


  By recognizing patterns in the tests they take
• What is a confounding variable in the context of independent groups design?


  Different abilities or characteristics of each participant
• What is one method to deal with the limitations of repeated measures design?


  Using two different but equivalent tests
• What is counterbalancing?


  A method to ensure each condition is tested first or second in equal amounts
• What are the two ways to counterbalance order effects?


  1. AB or BA: Two groups, one does A then B, the other does B then A.
  2. ABBA: Each participant does both conditions twice in a specific order.
• What does the ABBA method involve?


  Participants take part in each condition twice in a specific order
• How do researchers compare scores in the ABBA method?


  By comparing scores of trials 1 and 4 with trials 2 and 3
• What are the strengths of independent groups and matched pairs designs compared to repeated measures design?


  • Avoid order effects (e.g., practice effect)
  • Each participant only does one condition
• What is a matched pairs design?


  Two groups of participants matched on key characteristics
• What is a limitation of matched pairs design?


  It is time-consuming and difficult to match participants
• Why might it be difficult to control all participant variables in matched pairs design?


  Because you can only match on known relevant variables
• What is one way to make matching easier in matched pairs design?


  Restrict the number of variables to match on
• What is the purpose of conducting a pilot study in matched pairs design?


  To consider key variables that might be important when matching
• How can the strengths of each experimental design be identified?


  • By looking at the limitations of the other designs
  • For example, independent groups avoid practice effects found in repeated measures