Which of the following is a disadvantage of independent experimental design?

The identification of variability in participant differences as a disadvantage of independent experimental design highlights a key issue inherent in this research method. In an independent experimental design, different participants are assigned to each condition of the experiment. While this approach minimizes the potential for carryover effects that could arise from the same participants experiencing multiple conditions, it introduces the challenge of participant variability.

This variability refers to the differences among participants in terms of characteristics such as age, personality, intelligence, or prior experience. These differences can create noise in the data, making it more difficult to detect the true effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Consequently, the results may be influenced by factors unrelated to the experimental manipulation, leading to greater variability and potentially confounding outcomes.

For instance, if one group happens to have a higher proportion of individuals with a certain trait that affects their performance, the results may not accurately reflect the true effect of the experimental conditions. Therefore, while independent experimental designs allow for practical benefits such as reduced order effects and easier implementation, the increased variability due to participant differences is a significant disadvantage that researchers must consider.