7 (2)- scientific processes (experimental designs, observational techniques, questionnaires and interviews)

Independent groups design

Different participants in each condition, avoiding order effects but increasing participant variables.

Repeated measures design

Same participants in all conditions, controlling participant variables but risking order effects.

Matched pairs design

Participants matched on key characteristics, reducing differences but difficult to match accurately.

Order effects

Changes in performance due to fatigue or practice in repeated measures designs.

Behavioural categories

Operationalised behaviours used to ensure objective recording.

Event sampling

Recording every instance of behaviour, detailed but may miss behaviours outside observation periods.

Time sampling

Recording behaviour at fixed intervals, manageable but may miss key events.

Open questions

Allow detailed responses, producing rich qualitative data but difficult to analyse.

Closed questions

Fixed responses producing quantitative data, reliable but limited in depth.

Structured interview

Pre-set questions, increasing reliability but reducing validity.

Unstructured interview

Flexible questioning, increasing validity but reducing reliability.

Semi-structured interview

Combines structured and open questioning, balancing reliability and validity.