Designing research methods

Participants divided into two subgroups. One group will take part in the experimental condition (with the IV)

• No order effect when compared to a repeat design. More valid results.

• Usage of the same materials for both groups. Saves time.

• less chance of demand characteristics. They are only exposed to one condition of the experiment

• participant variables mean that there are differences between the groups

• needs double the amount of participants because there are 2 different groups.

When participants take part in both conditions. The group is split then take part in either one or the other condition

• 1/2 the amount of participants than independent group design

• no participant variables. The participants are being compared against themselves in both conditions

• order effect compromises validity

• can't use the same content in condition A and B

• higher risk of demand characteristics. More of an opportunity to guess the aim of the study

Where participants are tested before the experiment

• reduced participant variables

• no order effect

• usage of the same materials

• matching is time consuming

• difficult to match perfectly