GlossariesGCSE GlossariesGCSE Psychology GlossaryExperimental Design

Experimental Design - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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In GCSE psychology, experimental design refers to how researchers allocate participants to the different conditions (levels of the independent variable) within an experiment. It specifies which group each participant joins so that comparisons can be made when measuring the effect of the IV on the DV. The three core designs are independent groups, repeated measures and matched pairs.

Choosing the right experimental design helps control for confounding variables such as order effects or individual differences, improving the study’s validity.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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