Controlled Experiments

Between Subject Design

• An investigation design in which participants are randomly allocated to the control or experimental condition.

• Strengths - Its more efficient because they can be tested at the same time

• Limitations - more participants are needed for the same amount of data

Within Subject Design

• All participants are involved in both the experimental & control conditions.

• Strengths - Fewer participants are needed

• Limitations - Higher rate of participant withdrawal.

Mixed Design

• An investigation that combines both the experimental & control conditions

• Strengths - Can test the effect of multiple independent variables

• Limitations - More difficult to carry out and produce results that are difficult to analyze