2.3.1 Experimental Designs

• Experimental designs in cognitive psychology test the effects of independent variables on dependent variables in a controlled environment.
• In an independent groups design, each group experiences only one level of the independent variable.
• Counterbalancing is a strategy used to counteract order effects in repeated measures design.
• Order the steps in the experimental design process.

  1️⃣ Define the research question

  2️⃣ Choose an experimental design

  3️⃣ Recruit participants

  4️⃣ Conduct the experiment

  5️⃣ Analyze the data

  6️⃣ Draw conclusions
• In a matched pairs design, participants are paired on key variables relevant to the study.
• Experimental designs in cognitive psychology help researchers understand psychological processes.
• Experimental designs help researchers isolate and examine cause-and-effect relationships.
• Counterbalancing is a strategy used to counteract order effects in repeated measures design.
• A matched pairs design controls individual variability better than an independent groups design.
• Match the experimental design with its characteristic:

  Independent Groups ↔️ High individual differences

  Repeated Measures ↔️ Requires counterbalancing

  Matched Pairs ↔️ Controls individual variability
• What do paired participants experience in a Matched Pairs Design?

  Different levels of IV
• In a Matched Pairs Design, participants are matched on key variables
• Arrange the experimental designs in order of increasing control over individual differences.

  1️⃣ Independent Groups Design

  2️⃣ Repeated Measures Design

  3️⃣ Matched Pairs Design
• What are the three main types of experimental designs used in cognitive psychology?

  Independent Groups, Repeated Measures, Matched Pairs
• In a Repeated Measures Design, the same participants experience all levels of the independent variable.
• The Independent Groups Design involves separate groups
• What is the primary advantage of the Repeated Measures Design?

  Low individual differences
• Matched Pairs Design is more time-consuming than Independent Groups Design.
• The Independent Groups Design results in high individual differences
• Which experimental design reduces individual variability by using the same participants across all conditions?

  Repeated Measures Design
• The Repeated Measures Design requires counterbalancing to address order effects.
• Match the experimental design with its characteristic:

  Independent Groups Design ↔️ High individual differences

  Repeated Measures Design ↔️ Low individual differences

  Matched Pairs Design ↔️ Moderately controls individual differences
• In a Repeated Measures Design, order effects can be addressed by using counterbalancing
• The Matched Pairs Design controls individual differences better than the Independent Groups Design.
• What type of experimental design is suitable for studying memory performance with different learning techniques?

  Independent Groups Design
• In a Repeated Measures Design, order effects may require counterbalancing
• Which experimental design has no order effects?

  Matched Pairs Design
• What is one advantage of the repeated measures design compared to the independent groups design in controlling individual variability?

  Controls individual variability better
• Counterbalancing is required in the repeated measures design to address order effects.
• The matched pairs design moderately controls individual differences
• The independent groups design avoids order effects.
• The repeated measures design is more statistically powerful
• Steps to address order effects in a repeated measures design:

  1️⃣ Counterbalancing
• What is one disadvantage of the matched pairs design?

  Time-consuming
• Order effects can be eliminated entirely in the repeated measures design without counterbalancing.

  False
• Control variables are kept constant to prevent them from influencing the outcome
• What is manipulated by the researcher in an experimental design?

  Independent variable
• Control variables ensure that changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable.
• Match the variable type with its description:

  Independent Variable ↔️ Manipulated by researcher

  Dependent Variable ↔️ Measured outcome

  Control Variables ↔️ Kept constant
• What is manipulated by the researcher in an experimental design?

  Independent variable