research methods

• What is the main focus of experimental design?

  To structure a study to test hypotheses effectively
• What are the strengths and limitations of independent groups design?

  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Reduced demand characteristics

  
  

  Limitations:

  • No control over participant variables
  • Requires more participants than other designs
• What is an independent groups design?

  Participants only perform in one condition of the independent variable
• Why are order effects not present in independent groups design?

  Because each participant only experiences one condition
• What is a limitation of independent groups design regarding participant variables?

  There is no control over different abilities among participants
• What is a repeated measures design?

  All participants take part in all conditions of the independent variable
• What are the strengths and limitations of repeated measures design?

  Strengths:

  • Eliminates participant variables
  • Fewer participants needed

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Order effects present
  • Time-consuming to match participants
• What is counterbalancing in experimental design?

  Half of the participants do conditions in one order and the other half in the opposite order
• What is a strength of counterbalancing?

  It eliminates order effects
• What is a limitation of counterbalancing?

  It can be difficult to know which variables to match
• What is matched pairs design?

  Pairs of participants are matched on a variable affecting the dependent variable
• What are the strengths and limitations of matched pairs design?

  Strengths:

  • Reduces participant variables
  • Controls for individual differences

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Time-consuming to match participants
  • Requires a large pool of potential participants
• What is the definition of a population in research?

  A group of people from whom the sample is drawn
• Why is it important to define the population in a study?

  It determines the applicability of the study's findings
• What are the sampling methods

  1. Opportunity sampling
  2. Random sampling
  3. Stratified sampling
  4. Systematic
  5. Volunteer
• What is opportunity sampling?

  Participants are recruited based on their availability at the time of the study
• What is a strength of opportunity sampling?

  It is easy and time-saving for recruitment
• What is a limitation of opportunity sampling?

  It may not be representative of the whole population
• What is random sampling?

  All members of the population have an equal chance of being chosen
• What is a strength of random sampling?

  It eliminates researcher bias in participant selection
• What is stratified sampling?

  • The sample reflects the proportions of subgroups within the population
  • Requires identifying the population and calculating proportions
  • Random selection from each stratum
• What is a strength of stratified sampling?

  It eliminates researcher bias

  Representative as it’s a proportional strata
• What is a limitation of stratified sampling?

  It can be complex to calculate the required proportions