Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Experimentelles Design / Español: Diseño Experimental / Português: Design Experimental / Français: Conception Expérimentale / Italiano: Design Sperimentale /

Experimental design refers to a research design in which the investigator introduces some change in the participant’s environment and then measures the effect of that change on the participant’s behavior. Moreover, Experimental designs are designs which help us determine causality.

Description

Experimental design in psychology refers to the methodology used in planning, conducting, and analyzing experiments in order to test hypotheses and answer research questions. It involves carefully controlling variables to allow for more accurate and reliable results. A well-designed experimental study typically includes the manipulation of an independent variable, the measurement of a dependent variable, and the random assignment of participants to different conditions. Researchers use experimental design to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables and to minimize bias and confounding factors. By systematically varying factors and measuring outcomes, psychologists can make inferences about the effects of different interventions or treatments.

Application Areas

• Developmental psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Social psychology
• Health psychology

Treatment and Risks

• Treatments in experimental design may involve interventions, therapies, or manipulations that are intended to produce a specific effect on participants.
• Risks may include potential harm to participants such as psychological distress, discomfort, or negative reactions to treatments.

Examples

• Studying the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety levels
• Investigating the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance
• Examining the influence of social media usage on self-esteem

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Research design
• Experimental methodology
• Controlled experimentation
• Scientific method

Articles with 'Experimental design' in the title

• Single-case experimental design: Single-Case experimental design refers to research tactic in which an independent variable is manipulated for a single individual, allowing cause-and-effect conclusions but with limited generalizability
• Nonexperimental design: Nonexperimental design is a research design not having protection from the threats to internal validity provided by experimental or quasi-experimental designs
• Single-Case Experimental Designs: Single-Case Experimental Designs refer to a type of Research design which is most frequently used to evaluate the impact of a clinical treatment on the subject's problem
• Quasi-experimental design: Quasi-experimental design refers to a design that is like an experimental design but lacks the key ingredient of random assignment to groups.
• Between-subjects experimental design: Between-subjects experimental design refers to an experimental design using separate, independent groups of individuals for each treatment Condition being compared
• Within-subjects experimental design: Within-subjects experimental design refers to an experimental design in which the same group of individuals participates in all of the different treatment conditions

Summary

Experimental design in psychology is a crucial aspect of conducting research to investigate causal relationships between variables. By manipulating independent variables and measuring dependent variables, researchers can draw conclusions about the effects of different factors on behavior. This method allows for greater control over variables and helps to minimize bias, leading to more reliable and valid results.

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