Experimental design (way participants are used in study)

• What does experimental design refer to?

  How participants are arranged in experiments
• What is an independent groups design?

  Two separate groups experience different conditions
• In the SpeedUpp investigation, what does group 1 consume?

  Energy drink (condition A)
• How are the performance results compared in an independent groups design?

  By comparing mean words spoken in each group
• What is a repeated measures design?

  All participants experience both conditions
• In a repeated measures design, what does each participant do?

  Experience condition A and then condition B
• How are mean scores compared in a repeated measures design?

  By comparing scores from both conditions
• What is a matched pairs design?

  Participants are paired based on relevant variables
• How might participants be paired in a memory study?

  Based on their IQ scores
• What is a potential issue with matched pairs design?

  Participants can never be matched exactly
• What is a strength of independent groups design?

  Order effects are not a problem
• What is a major issue with independent groups design?

  Participant variables may confound results
• What is a strength of repeated measures design?

  Higher validity due to controlled variables
• What is a significant issue with repeated measures design?

  Order effects may influence results
• What is counterbalancing used for?

  To deal with order effects in repeated measures
• What is a potential drawback of matched pairs design?

  It can be time-consuming and expensive
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of independent groups design?

  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Less chance of guessing aims

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Participant variables may confound results
  • Requires more participants
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures design?

  Strengths:

  • Higher validity
  • Fewer participants needed

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Order effects may influence results
  • More likely to guess study aims
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design?

  Strengths:

  • Reduces order effects
  • Less chance of guessing aims

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Cannot match participants exactly
  • Time-consuming and expensive
• What is the main focus of experimental design?

  Arrangement of participants in experiments
• What is the purpose of random allocation in independent groups design?

  To control for participant variables
• How can researchers deal with order effects in repeated measures?

  By using counterbalancing
• What might happen if participants experience both conditions in a repeated measures design?

  They may become bored or fatigued
• What is the role of a pre-test in matched pairs design?

  To ensure effective matching of participants
• What is the control condition in the SpeedUpp investigation?

  Water (condition B)
• Why might demand characteristics be more prominent in repeated measures designs?

  Participants experience all conditions
• What is the main goal of using matched pairs design?

  To control for participant variables
• How does the independent groups design affect the number of participants needed?

  Requires twice as many participants
• What is the main issue with participant variables in independent groups design?

  They may confound the results
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in the SpeedUpp investigation?

  Mean number of words spoken
• What is the purpose of using a control condition?

  To compare against the experimental condition
• How can researchers ensure that the independent variable (IV) is the only factor affecting the DV?

  By controlling participant variables
• What is the significance of comparing mean scores in experiments?

  To determine the effect of the IV on the DV
• Why is it important to control for confounding variables?

  To increase the validity of the findings
• What is the main goal of an experiment?

  To test the effect of an independent variable
• What does it mean for a design to be economical?

  It requires fewer resources and participants
• How can researchers improve the validity of their findings?

  By controlling for confounding variables
• What is the relationship between participant variables and experimental validity?

  Participant variables can reduce experimental validity
• What is the purpose of using a pre-test in matched pairs design?

  To effectively match participants on relevant variables
• What is the main focus of the SpeedUpp investigation?

  The effect of energy drink on performance