Experimental design

Cards (17)

  • What are the three types of experimental designs?
    Repeated measures, independent groups, matched pairs
  • What is an independent groups design?
    • Participants take part in one condition of the IV
    • Different participants are used in each condition
    • Example: One group chews while learning, another does not
  • What is a key advantage of independent groups design regarding order effects?
    There are no order effects influencing results
  • How does independent groups design reduce demand characteristics?
    Participants are unlikely to guess the aim
  • What is a disadvantage of independent groups design related to participant numbers?
    Double the amount of participants is needed
  • How can individual differences affect independent groups design?
    They may act as a confounding variable
  • What is a repeated measures design?
    • All participants undergo one condition, then the other
    • Conditions may be immediate or at a later date
  • What is an advantage of repeated measures design regarding unbalanced groups?
    It eliminates unbalanced groups by self-comparison
  • How does repeated measures design affect the number of participants needed?
    Less participants are needed compared to independent groups
  • What is a disadvantage of repeated measures design related to order effects?
    Results may be influenced by practice or boredom
  • How do demand characteristics affect repeated measures design?
    Participants are more likely to guess the study's aim
  • What is a matched pairs design?
    • Participants are tested for key variables before the study
    • Similar participants are paired up
    • One from each pair experiences a different condition
  • What is an advantage of matched pairs design regarding unbalanced groups?
    It attempts to eliminate unbalanced groups
  • How does matched pairs design reduce demand characteristics?
    Participants only take part in one condition
  • What is a disadvantage of matched pairs design regarding participant numbers?
    At least double the amount of participants is needed
  • Why can matched pairs design be time-consuming and difficult to achieve?
    Participants can never be matched exactly
  • What is a potential cost issue with matched pairs design?
    Matching may be time-consuming and expensive