What is an experimental design?
The way participants are allocated or organised across the conditions of an experiment.
What is an independent groups design?
A design in which different participants take part in each condition of the independent variable.
What is a repeated measures design?
A design in which the same participants take part in every condition of the independent variable.
What is a matched pairs design?
A design in which different participants take part in each condition but are matched on relevant characteristics.
What are participant variables?
Individual differences between participants that may affect the dependent variable.
What is a major strength of independent groups?
It avoids order effects because participants complete only one condition.
What is a major strength of repeated measures?
It controls participant variables because the same participants take part in all conditions.
What is a major weakness of repeated measures?
Order effects such as practice, fatigue or boredom can influence performance.
What is random allocation?
Assigning participants to conditions so each person has an equal chance of entering any condition.
What is counterbalancing?
Varying the order of conditions, usually AB/BA, to spread order effects across a repeated measures study.