AQA PSYCHOLOGY (A-LEVEL) -
RESEARCH METHODS -
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS
QUESTIONS & VALID PASSED
ANSWERS
Experimental design - Correct Answer ✔✔ A set of procedures used to control the
influence of factors such as participant variables in an experiment.
Matched pairs design - Correct Answer ✔✔ Pairs of participants are matched in terms
of key variables. Each member is allocated to a different group (experimental or
control).
Advantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ The researchers have control, to SOME
extent, over participant variables.
Advantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ The results of this experimental design are
the most valid compared to the other two.
Disadvantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ Very time-consuming and difficult to
match participants on key variables, as the researcher has to start with a large group of
participants to ensure they can obtain matched pairs on a key variable.
Disadvantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ It is not possible to control ALL
participant variables, as you can only match on variables known to be relevant, but it
could be that others are more important. (You may match on memory abilities in a
memory experiment, then find some participants had taken a teaching programme to
boost memory skills and the researcher should have matched on this).
Independent groups design - Correct Answer ✔✔ Participants are allocated to two or
more groups representing different levels of the IV.
Advantage of an IGD - Correct Answer ✔✔ There are less chances of demand
characteristics developing.
Advantage of an IGD - Correct Answer ✔✔ There will be NO order effect.
Disadvantage of an IGD - Correct Answer ✔✔ The researcher cannot control the effects
of participant variables; e.g. Group A participants having better memories than Group
B's - an example of a confounding variable.
RESEARCH METHODS -
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS
QUESTIONS & VALID PASSED
ANSWERS
Experimental design - Correct Answer ✔✔ A set of procedures used to control the
influence of factors such as participant variables in an experiment.
Matched pairs design - Correct Answer ✔✔ Pairs of participants are matched in terms
of key variables. Each member is allocated to a different group (experimental or
control).
Advantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ The researchers have control, to SOME
extent, over participant variables.
Advantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ The results of this experimental design are
the most valid compared to the other two.
Disadvantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ Very time-consuming and difficult to
match participants on key variables, as the researcher has to start with a large group of
participants to ensure they can obtain matched pairs on a key variable.
Disadvantage of an MPD - Correct Answer ✔✔ It is not possible to control ALL
participant variables, as you can only match on variables known to be relevant, but it
could be that others are more important. (You may match on memory abilities in a
memory experiment, then find some participants had taken a teaching programme to
boost memory skills and the researcher should have matched on this).
Independent groups design - Correct Answer ✔✔ Participants are allocated to two or
more groups representing different levels of the IV.
Advantage of an IGD - Correct Answer ✔✔ There are less chances of demand
characteristics developing.
Advantage of an IGD - Correct Answer ✔✔ There will be NO order effect.
Disadvantage of an IGD - Correct Answer ✔✔ The researcher cannot control the effects
of participant variables; e.g. Group A participants having better memories than Group
B's - an example of a confounding variable.
