PS 504 - W6 Discussions

PS 504 - W6 Discussions

Discussion 1

Between-Subjects Design

A between-subjects research design is the one in which random assigning of different groups of participants is carried out to experimental conditions or for controlling conditions (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2002). When for each subject or unit, only one measure is obtained, but the subjects are distinguished by some factors then the design is referred to as a between-subjects design. In examination of the effects of a studied factor, different groups of subjects are compared by a between-subjects factor compares (e.g., treatment vs. comparison groups). The different types of between-subjects design include randomized two-group design, randomized multi- group design, matched-groups design, matched pairs design, or the matched-multi- group design. Keeping my research questions in mind, I would use randomized two-group design in my study as it is one of the simplest research designs, but it has numerous benefits over other complex designs. A small group of subjects (i.e. around 20 or 30) is required to be selected and then to the two groups of the experiment, the selected subjects are randomly assigned. The extraneous variables are held constant and then the two means are compared.

Randomized two-group design is quite uncomplicated to carry out as only two levels of independent variable are required. Secondarily, everything else being equivalent, fewer subjects are required by it. With few subjects chosen, an experiment is thus relatively economical with respect to time and materials. Thirdly, no categorization or pre-testing of subjects is required as it is ensured by random assignment that probabilistic equivalence has existed between groups. The strategy of randomized group is often more than adequate for testing of hypothesis, eliminating the necessitation for a more complicated matching or other design. A drawback of randomized group is that a limited amount of information is provided by ...