EXPERIMENTAL

DESIGNS
BETWEEN-SUBJECTS DESIGN
- A design in which different subjects take part in each condition of the
experiment

1. ONE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: TWO-GROUP DESIGNS –

the simplest experimental design; used when only two treatment
conditions are needed

1 IV – TC 1 * two separate groups of subjects

- TC 2
A. Two Independent Groups
- Randomly selected subjects are placed in each of two treatment
conditions through random assignment.
- Steps:
1. Choose Ss through an unbiased selection procedure (fish bowl,
random number table, etc)
* each member of the group should have an equal chance of being
selected for experiment.

Each member of the population should have an equal chance of

being selected for experiment. (Random Sampling)
A. Two Independent Groups Design
2. Make a decision – which individuals will take part in each
treatment condition (Random Assignment)

Random assignment – every subject has an equal chance of being

placed in any of the treatment conditions

• If not assigned at random = CONFOUNDING EFFECT (an error

that occurs when the value of an EV changes systematically along
with the IV in an experiment
• Threatens internal validity
A. Two Independent Groups
Example: study by Kelly

1. A guest lecturer was invited in a General Psychology class

2. Written descriptions are given to students randomly
TC1 =warm description TC2 =cold description
3. 20-minute discussion
4. Students report impression
warm description- more favorable impression
cold description – not so favorable impression
 A. Two Independent Groups
If subjects are NOT randomly assigned…

Basis: seating arrangement

First few rows – warm description

*more interested
* arrive earlier

Back rows – cold description

* tendency not to listen to the lecture
* arrive late
 B. Experimental Group-Control Group Design
Experimental Group Control Group
Subjects in a control condition where there
Subjects in an experimental condition to
is no experimental manipulation of the
whom the IV is applied
IV
Measure the responses after administering
No treatment condition
the treatment condition
Simply measure the subjects’ responses
Ex: Effects of Aerobics on Test
Performance

EG – 15-minute aerobics (IV)

CG – no aerobics (IV)
score in the test (DV)
score in the test (DV)
C. Two Experimental Groups Design
- A design in which two groups of subjects are exposed to different
levels of the IV
- Purpose: enables comparison of behavioral differences when subjects
are exposed to different values or levels of the IV

- Ex: Effects of Violent Music Video (IV) on Aggression (DV)

EG1 – low level of violence of music video
EG2 – high level of violence of music video
EG 1 – 5 minutes exposure EG 2 – 15 minutes exposure
2. MULTIPLE GROUPS DESIGN
- A design with one IV in which there are more than two (2) treatment
conditions
- Multiple independent groups design – subjects are assigned to the
different treatment conditions at random
- IV IV
A – Control Group no drug no exercise
B – Experimental Group 1 250 mg 15 min exercise
C – Experimental Group 2 500 mg 30 min exercise
DV length of sleep test performance
2. MULTIPLE GROUPS DESIGN
Multiple Experimental Groups

Effects of type of sensation on level of anxiety

EG 1 – visual (video clip - horror)
EG 2 – auditory (emotionally-laden songs)
EG 3 – tactile/touch (crawling insects)

Effects of size of picture on recognition ability

EG 1 – 1 x 1 pic
EG 2- 2 x 2 pic
EG 3 – 5 x 5 pic
EG 4- 8 x 8 pic
Thank you…