StudySmarter - The all-in-one study app.
4.8 • +11k Ratings
More than 3 Million Downloads
Free
The last experimental design you need to know about is matched pairs design. Let's first provide a matched pairs design definition and then have a look at an example.
In matched pairs design, participants are paired based on a specific characteristic or variable (e.g., age) and then divided into different conditions. Researchers assign one member to the control group and the other to the experimental group in each pair. The procedures are then the same as in the independent group design. Each group experiences only one level of IV. Researchers compare the average results of the groups after the experiment.
Pairs of people, Kindpng
Suppose we conduct a research project to investigate whether StudySmarter helps A-level psychology students better than traditional textbooks and test participants’ learning outcomes using a post-test after graduation.
We will now discuss the strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design.
In the following, we will present the strengths of the matched pairs design. We will discuss order effects, demand characteristics, and participant variables. The evaluation points are shown in PEEL format: Point/Evidence/Explanation/Link.
P: An advantage of matched pairs over repeated measures is that there are no order effects. E: Order effects mean that the tasks completed in one condition may influence how the participant performs the task in the following condition. E: Since participants are only tested on matched pairs, there is no practise or boredom effect. L: Thus, by controlling the order effects, which can be a serious confounding variable, matched pairs improve the study’s validity.
P: Another advantage of matched pairs is their reduced demand characteristics. E: Because we test all participants only once, participants are less likely to guess the experiment’s target. E: This may reduce the risk that participants will change some aspect of their behaviour in response to knowledge of the research hypothesis. L: Therefore, reducing demand characteristics may increase the validity of the research.
P: Participant variables can be controlled by selecting participants according to the experiment’s relevant variables. E: Participant variables are the external variables related to the individual characteristics of each participant and can affect their response. E: Extraneous variables in participants, such as individual differences, cannot be eliminated, but they can be reduced. L: By matching participants to relevant variables, we can reduce the confounding influence of participant variables to some extent, improving internal validity.
In the following, we will highlight the weaknesses of the matched pairs design. We will discuss the data needed, the number of participants required, the time required to find participants, and the elimination of participants.
P: The matched pairs design has a lower economic benefit because it requires more participants. E: The matched pairs design requires twice as many participants as the repeated measures design. E: This is an economic disadvantage for researchers because they must spend more time and resources recruiting participants. L: Therefore, independent groups can be considered a less cost-effective and efficient experimental design than a repeated measures design.
P: A matched pairs design has a lower economic benefit because it requires additional procedures. E: A matched pairs design requires data specifying each participant’s particular characteristic or variable. E: This is an economic disadvantage for researchers because more time and resources must be spent collecting additional data or conducting an additional pretest. L: Matched pairs can thus be considered a less cost-effective and efficient experimental design than repeated measures design and independent groups.
P: There is a disadvantage if a participant drops out of the study. E: Since participants are matched in pairs, the pair data would be useless if one dropped out. E: The data from two participants would be lost, which could set the study back and lead to the need to recruit replacement participants. L: For this reason, the matched pairs design may be less efficient.
P: Finding pairs can be a time-consuming process. E: Participants need to be matched on certain variables. For example, if you want to match participants by age and weight, it might be difficult to find pairs of participants who are the same age and weight. E: This is a disadvantage because finding matching pairs could take a lot of time. L: This also leads to matched pairs perhaps being a less efficient design.
In a matched pairs design, participants are paired based on a specific characteristic or variable relevant to the study and then split across different conditions.
The strengths of matched pairs designs are that there are no order effects and that demand is lower because all participants are tested only once. We can control participants’ variables to reduce extraneous participant variables, such as individual differences between participants.
The weakness of the matched-pairs design is lower economic benefits because it requires more participants. If one participant drops out, the data for the pair is lost and it is time-consuming to find matching pairs.
The matched pairs design requires data specifying a particular characteristic or variable of each participant.
If one participant drops out, the data for the pair is lost.
Matched pairs designs allow us to better compare the data than if participants were randomised entirely into groups. For example, say you were testing a new drug and found that it seemed to work better compared to another one. However, your participants are grouped all randomly in age and gender, so there were many young females in the group that responded well to the new drug. You couldn't say for sure if it were the drug that worked, or maybe they improved because of their young age, or females have better recovery abilities.
A study is conducted to examine whether StudySmarter helps A-level psychology students better than traditional textbooks and test participants' learning outcomes using a post-test after studying. Participants may be paired based on their previous exam performance in psychology because academic ability can be a confounding variable that alters post-test results. Then the pairs will be split into two groups: the experimental group (A-level students who study with StudySmarter) and the control group (A-level students who study with traditional textbooks). They would then take the test. Researchers will compare the mean score of each pair in the post-test.
In this design, participants are paired up based on a specific trait or variables relevant to the study and then split into different conditions. A member will then be allocated to the control group in each pair, and the other member will be allocated to the experimental group. The procedures are then the same as for the independent groups' design. Each group only experiences one level of IV. The mean results of the pairs would be compared after the experiment.
Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan.
Test your knowledge with gamified quizzes.
Create and find flashcards in record time.
Create beautiful notes faster than ever before.
Have all your study materials in one place.
Upload unlimited documents and save them online.
Identify your study strength and weaknesses.
Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them.
Stop procrastinating with our study reminders.
Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying.
Create flashcards in notes completely automatically.
Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates.
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.