The Within-Subjects Design: The Single Factor Two-Level Design

The within-subjects design I chose for my research question (What are the psychological reasons behind depression?) is the single factor two-level design. The single factor two-level design includes only two levels of a single independent variable. “All subjects receive both levels of the variable, but half the subjects receive the treatments in one order and half in the opposite order” (Bordens & Abbott, 2018, p. 324). The results and/or scores that I get from each treatment used are then averaged, then you compare both treatments that were given. It does not matter what order the treatments were given, you disregard the in which each treatment was given.
The advantages of a within-subjects designs are that it you do not need as many participants. You can use fewer participants and this makes it easier to recognize an effect of your independent variable. Using less participants means that you save time, money and materials that are needed, such as treatments. Within-subjects design thrusts the logic of pairing/linking to the limit. “The reduced error variance makes the within-subjects design is more powerful (i.e., more sensitive to the effects of your independent variable) than the equivalent …show more content…
This is because it exposes participants to every level of experimental treatments. “It may be difficult to find participants willing to take part in such an experiment” (Bordens & Abbott, 2018, p. 314). Another disadvantage is that it is time consuming and participants can become bored, drained and exhausted when if several hours of their time is needed for the study. A big disadvantage is that you can make errors when dispensing medication/treatments, failing to follow proper instructions on the treatments given, and if a participant passes away during the subject design. This means you must get rid of all the data collected and start over again using new