Experimental Designs

• What is a Repeated Measures Design in experimental research?

  Same participants are used in each condition.
• How do participants experience conditions in a Repeated Measures Design?

  Participants undergo all conditions either immediately or later.
• What are the advantages of a Repeated Measures Design?

  • Fewer participants needed
  • Easier to find a sample
  • Controls individual differences
  • Higher validity
• What are the disadvantages of a Repeated Measures Design?

  • Order effects (boredom, fatigue, practice)
  • Demand characteristics (participants may guess the aim)
• What defines an Independent Groups Design in experimental research?

  Different participants are used in each condition.
• How do participants experience conditions in an Independent Groups Design?

  Participants experience only one condition.
• What are the advantages of an Independent Groups Design?

  • No order effects
  • Demand characteristics reduced
  • Participants unaware of other conditions
• What are the disadvantages of an Independent Groups Design?

  • More participants needed
  • Harder to acquire a sample
  • Unbalanced groups may confound results
• What is a Matched Pairs Design in experimental research?

  Different participants are used in each condition, matched on key characteristics.
• What are the advantages of a Matched Pairs Design?

  • Attempts to eliminate unbalanced groups
  • Fewer participant variables
  • Demand characteristics reduced
  • Participants don’t know the aim
• What are the disadvantages of a Matched Pairs Design?

  • More participants needed
  • Separate group for each condition
  • Time-consuming and difficult
  • Pre-tests required, not economical