Experimental Designs

• What are the three kinds of experimental designs?

  Independent groups, repeated measures, and match pairs
• What does experimental design refer to?

  Conditions participants will take part in
• What are independent groups in experimental design?

  Participants allocated to different groups for conditions
• What is the role of a control group in independent groups design?

  Acts as a baseline for comparison
• How are the performance results compared in independent groups design?

  By comparing the two groups' performances
• What are the strengths of independent groups design?

  • Random allocation of participants
  • No order effects due to single participation
• What are the weaknesses of independent groups design?

  • Requires a large number of participants
  • Participant variables may affect validity
• What is a systematic method of allocation in experimental design?

  First participant to one group, next to another
• What is a random method of allocation in experimental design?

  Flipping a coin to assign participants
• What is the repeated measures design?

  All participants take part in all conditions
• What is a strength of repeated measures design?

  Requires fewer participants for data collection
• What is a weakness of repeated measures design?

  Order effects may influence participant responses
• How can order effects in repeated measures be resolved?

  By using counterbalancing techniques
• What is the matched pairs design?

  Pairs matched on relevant variables for conditions
• What are the strengths of matched pairs design?

  • No order effects due to single testing
  • Participants matched on important variables
• What are the weaknesses of matched pairs design?

  • Time-consuming to match participants
  • Not all participant variables can be controlled
• What is the difference between experimental methods and experimental designs?

  • Experimental methods refer to the setting (e.g., laboratory).
  • Experimental designs refer to how participants are organized (e.g., independent groups).