types of scientific methodologies

• Within Subject Design

  • Same participants used in both experimental and control conditions
  • Participants undertake each condition: with and without IV
• Advantages to Within Subject Design


  • Smaller number of participants required
• Disadvantages to Within Subject Design


  • Order effects can become confounding variable
• Between Subjects Design


  • Individuals divided into different groups and complete only one experimental condition
• Advantages of Between Subjects Design

  • No order effects
• Disadvantages of Between Subjects Design

  • Larger number of participants required
• Mixed Design


  • Participants allocated to an experimental group. Are measured before and after they are exposed to IV (or not)
• Advantages of Mixed Design


  • Decreases effect of participant variability
• Disadvantages of Mixed Design

  • Researchers have to be across multiple methods