OCT25-PART_2_Experimental designs

Experimental Realism

The extent to which an experiment feels real to the participants.

Mundane Realism

The degree to which an experiment setting resembles the real world.

Manipulation Checks

Measures used to assess whether the manipulation of the independent variable had the intended effect.

Pilot Study

A small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate the feasibility, time, cost, and adverse events involved in a particular research study.

contrast Effect

• Variations in responses based on the order of conditions

Counterbalancing

Method to control for order of effects

Fatigue Effect

• Decline in performance due to fatigue.

Mortality

• Dropout of participants during a study.

Order Effect

• Changes in responses due to the order in which conditions are presented

Independent groups design

• Different participants are assigned to each level of the independent variable

Repeated measures design

Same participants experience all levels of the independent variable - aka within-subjects design

Matched Pairs design

• Participants are paired based on a key variable, then assigned randomly to one condition.

Repeated measures design ADV

• Fewer participants needed than independent groups designs.

• Increased sensitivity in detecting differences

Practice Effects

• Improvement in performance due to repetition

Contrast Effects:

Participants might compare conditions and react differently based on their experience.

Complete Counterbalancing:

All possible orders of presentation included.

Partial Counterbalancing - Latin Square Technique:

Each condition occurs once in each ordinal position and follows/preceded by each other condition.

• Spacing Time Intervals:

• Helps to mitigate fatigue and contrast effects but may increase dropout rates.