experimental design

Question 1

what are the 3 different versions of experimental design?

Answer 1

• independent measures
• repeated measures
• matched pairs

Question 2

describe independent measures

Answer 2

• 2 separate groups of participants that only take part in 1 condition of the experiment each
• e.g. 1 group words/ 1 group pictures

Question 3

describe the strengths of independent measures

Answer 3

• avoids order effects as they only take part in 1 condition (practice/ fatigue)
• participants will be less likely to guess the aim of the experiment as they only do 1 condition

Question 4

describe the limitations of independent measures

Answer 4

• more people are needed than repeated measures
• differences between participants in the groups may affect results - e.g. age, gender, confounding variables

Question 5

describe repeated measures

Answer 5

1 group of participants that take part in both conditions of the experiment
- e.g. 1 group words and pictures

Question 6

describe the strengths of repeated measures

Answer 6

• fewer people are needed
• same participants are used in both conditions so participant variables are reduced

Question 7

describe the limitations of repeated measures

Answer 7

• order effects - e.g. participants might perform better(practice) or worse(fatigue) in 2nd condition
• participants are more likely to guess the aim of the experiment and show demand charactertistics