Experimental Designs: WithinSubjects Design

Chapter 11

Rusheil Mae Q. Velasco

November 24 2014

What is Within-Subjects Design?

A within-subjects design is an experiment in
which the same group of subjects serves in
more than one treatment.
Sometimes called repeated-measures
design

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Within-subjects Designs
Advantages of within-subjects designs
It requires relatively few participants
It enables one to compare the behavior of the
same subjects under a different treatment
conditions
It can increase the power of the experiment

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Within-subjects Designs
Advantages of within-subjects designs
It essentially eliminated all of the problems
based on individual differences that are the
primary concern of a between-subjects designs.
It would give a more complete picture of the
way independent variable works in the
experiment.

2. Advantages and
Disadvantages of WithinSubjects Designs

Disadvantages

carryover effects
changes in behavior or performance that are caused by
participation in an earlier treatment condition
carryover effects exist whenever one treatment condition
produces a change in the participants that affects their
scores in subsequent treatment conditions (e.g. new skill
from treatment 1 can influence results in treatment 2)

progressive error
changes in participant's behavior or performance that are
related to experience over time in a research study but not
related to a specific treatment or treatments (e.g. practice
effects and fatigue)

THANKS!