Experimental Design

• What is the relationship between participant sample and independent variable?

  They are combined in experimental design
• What are the two experimental designs mentioned?

  Repeated measures and independent groups design
• What is a repeated measures design?

  All participants complete both conditions
• What is an independent groups design?

  Different sets of people in each condition
• What is a potential issue with independent groups design?

  Participant variables may influence results
• How could participant variables affect a study on temperature and reaction times?

  More young people in one condition may skew results
• What is the main advantage of repeated measures design?

  Eliminates participant variables affecting results
• What are order effects in repeated measures design?

  Participants may improve or worsen due to practice or fatigue
• How can order effects be controlled in repeated measures design?

  By using counterbalancing
• What does counterbalancing do?

  Balances the influence of order effects
• What is a disadvantage of independent groups design compared to repeated measures?

  It requires more participants for the same data
• What are demand characteristics in repeated measures design?

  Participants may alter behavior to please the researcher
• What is a matched pairs design?

  Two separate groups matched on a characteristic
• How are participants assigned in matched pairs design?

  Based on a characteristic that may influence results
• What is the advantage of matched pairs design?

  Reduces participant variables and order effects
• What is a disadvantage of matched pairs design?

  It takes longer to set up than other designs
• What is the relationship between strengths and weaknesses of the experimental designs discussed?

  The strengths of one are weaknesses of the other
• What are the key features of independent groups design?

  • Different participants in each condition
  • Data collected is unrelated
  • Potential influence of participant variables
• What are the key features of repeated measures design?

  • Same participants in both conditions
  • Data collected is related
  • Eliminates participant variables
  • Potential for order effects
• What are the key features of matched pairs design?

  • Two separate groups matched on a characteristic
  • Data treated as related
  • Reduces participant variables
  • Takes longer to set up
• What are the evaluations for both experimental designs discussed?

  • Independent groups: needs more participants
  • Repeated measures: risk of demand characteristics
  • Strengths and weaknesses are interrelated