Experimental designs

• The experimental condition is who experience the main iv condition (experienced the change)
• The control condition is who experience the normal conditions (used for comparison)
• Independent groups involves using different participants in each condition of the experiment (loads of groups)
• Strengths of the independent groups method

  • Order affects like boredom and practice do not affect
  • Demand characteristics are less of a problem as they only experience one condition
  • The same test can be used in both conditions
• Weaknesses of the independent groups method

  • Participant variables may affect the results
  • More participants required
• Repeated measures designs involves using the same participants in each condition
• Strengths of repeated measures

  • Participant variables are kept consistent
  • Fewer participants required
• Weaknesses of repeated measure design

  • Demand characteristics more obvious as they see both conditions
  • Order effects
  • Different equivalent tests required for each condition
• Matched pairs design using different participants but both groups are similar
• Strengths of Matched participants

  • Participant variables are controlled
  • Order effects not present
  • Demand characteristics controlled
  • Same test can be used
• Weaknesses of matched participants

  • Matching is difficult
  • Experimenter effects (process may be biased)
  • More participants required
• Order effects are controlled by

  • Equivalent tests
  • Counterbalancing ABBA
  • Time lapse (time between two conditions)