Experimental Designs Flashcards
(7 cards)
What are the experimental designs
Independent group design
Repeated measures design
Matched pairs design
Whats an independent group design
This is when participants only partake in one condition, so they are randomly allocated in either the control group or the experimental group.
Strengths and limitations of the independent groups design
Strength = no order effects, they are only being tested once therefore they can’t practice or become bored, controls EVs
Strength = wont guess the aim, due its them only being tested once they are unlikely to identify aim = behaviour is natural
Weakness = indivual differences in each group, different characteristics form the participants (age, gender) may impact the results, lowers internal validity.
Weakness = requires more participants, the researcher needs enough participants for each group to end up with the same amount of data, time consuming to get participants
Whats the repeated measures design
The same participants take part in all conditions (they should be counterbalanced). They are in the control and experimental group
Strengths and weaknesses of repeated measured design
Strengths = fewer participants, half the number of participants needed for the same amount of data (in comparison to independent) = less time consuming
Strengths = participant variables are removed, participants take part in both conditions therefore have the same characteristics = controls CVs
Weakness = order effects, participants might ge bored, or do better the second time = reduced validity
Weakness = increased chance of demand characteristics, particpants might figure out the aim due to doing the study twice = screw you or please you effect, lowers validity
Whats matched pairs design
The participants are matched on a characteristic regarding the experiment and then randomly allocated into one condition (they only take part in one condition)
Strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design
Strength = participant variables, thy are matched on a characteristics therefore it wont impact the results, improves validity
Strength = no order effects, they only take part once
Weakness = matching isn’t perfect, participant aren’t going to have ‘exact same’ variables, therefore there could be others that impact results = lower validity
Weakness = the most time consuming, got to collect double the amount of participants in comparison to repeated measures and then match the participants = could also be expensive.
