Experimental designs

Cards (10)

  • Independent groups
    When two separate groups experience two different conditions of the experiment
  • Strength of Independant groups
    No order effects
  • Weaknesses of Independant groups
    Individual differences
    More expensive and time consuming
  • Repeated measures

    All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
  • Strengths of Repeated measures
    No individual differences
    Requires less ppts - cheaper and quicker
    Order effects are dealt with through counterbalancing - half the group observe and half the group participate, then switch
  • Weaknesses of repeated measures
    Order effects - order of tasks done may be significant, could create boredom and fatigue, repetition could also improve performances
    Demand characteristics
  • Matched Pairs
    Where participants are matched based on a variable relevant to the study (IQ, strength), then split up and assigned to either condition
  • Strengths of Matched Pairs
    Less order effects and demand characteristics
    Controls individual differences more
  • Weaknesses of matched pairs
    Not fully accurately matched
    Time consuming
  • Standardisation
    Conditions are the same among all ppts - controls variables and establishes a stronger relationship between variables