experimental design

• What does experimental design describe?

  Allocation of participants to experimental groups
• What is independent groups design in experimental research?

  • Two different groups of participants
  • Each group completes a different experimental condition
• What is an advantage of independent groups design?

  Demand characteristics are less likely
• What is another advantage of independent groups design?

  No order effects from doing one condition
• What is a disadvantage of independent groups design?

  Individual differences between the two groups
• How can individual differences in independent groups design be reduced?

  By using random allocation
• What is repeated measures design in experimental research?

  • Same participants take part in all conditions
• What is an advantage of repeated measures design?

  Fewer individual differences among participants
• What is a disadvantage of repeated measures design?

  Demand characteristics are more likely
• What is another disadvantage of repeated measures design?

  Order effects affect performance
• How can order effects in repeated measures design be reduced?

  By using counterbalancing
• What is matched pairs design in experimental research?

  • Participants take part in only one condition
  • Recruited to be similar in relevant characteristics
  • Identical twins are ideal for matching
• What is an advantage of matched pairs design?

  No order effects as only one condition is completed
• What is a disadvantage of matched pairs design?

  Time-consuming to test and match participants
• Why are identical twins often used in matched pairs design?

  They are the best matched pairs for characteristics