TYPES OF BETWEEN-SUBJECTS DESIGNS
In independent-groups design (random-groups design), participants are randomly assigned
to the various conditions.
Groups will not be identical or perfectly matched, but preexisting differences will not provide
plausible alternative explanation for statistical findings
Increasing number of participants improves equivalent group construction
Block randomization
Run through random order of blocks (rounds of conditions) until desired sample
size reached
Matching variable is a characteristic on which sets of individuals are matched as closely as
possible.
To create a matched-groups design, each set of participants that has been
matched on one or more attributes is randomly assigned the various conditions of the
experiment
Confounds can be used as matching variables
Matching adds experimental complexity
In independent-groups design (random-groups design), participants are randomly assigned
to the various conditions.
Groups will not be identical or perfectly matched, but preexisting differences will not provide
plausible alternative explanation for statistical findings
Increasing number of participants improves equivalent group construction
Block randomization
Run through random order of blocks (rounds of conditions) until desired sample
size reached
Matching variable is a characteristic on which sets of individuals are matched as closely as
possible.
To create a matched-groups design, each set of participants that has been
matched on one or more attributes is randomly assigned the various conditions of the
experiment
Confounds can be used as matching variables
Matching adds experimental complexity
