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Article 1: Keown, C. F. (1983). Comparison of between-subjects and within-subjects designs in assessing perceptions of risk. Psychological Reports, 53, 655-661.

Summary: The author conducted a study of drug preference in which some participants rated all five drugs that varied in side effects and frequency of occurrence or rated one drug only. The researcher found that the drugs rated at the same time were rated higher than rating one drug at a time.

Learning Objective: Within Subjects Designs: Overview

Questions to Consider

1. How did the researcher create the study as a within subjects design? As a between subjects design?
2. What is the difference between a within subjects and between subjects design?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a within subjects design? Did the researcher take steps to control for the disadvantages? How?
    

Article 2: Bonanno, G. A., Papa, A., Lalande, K., Westphal, M., Coifman, K. (2004). The importance of being flexible: The ability to both enhance and suppress emotional expression predicts long-term adjustment. Psychological Science, 15, 482-487.

Summary: The authors had participants perform a task that enhanced emotional expressions, suppressed emotional expressions, or behaved normally. They then tested whether their performance predicted adjustment across two years of college. Participants who were able to express or suppress the expression of emotion adjusted better by the end of two years than participants who were less able to do so. Results supported the flexibility of emotional expression as a better avenue for adjustment.

Learning Objective: Types of Within Subjects Designs

Questions to Consider

1. What was the within subjects variable in this study? How did they manipulate it?
2. Did the researchers control the carry over effects of the independent variable?
    

Article 3: Hiskey, S., & Troop, N. A. (2002). Online longitudinal survey research: Viability and participation. Social Science Computer Review, 20(3), 250-259.

Summary: The authors examined the viability of using online surveys for longitudinal research of people having experienced trauma. Participants who signed up to participate completed three waves of surveys, one at sign up, one 3 months later and one 6 months later. The results suggest that online surveys for longitudinal studies are a valid approach to conducting repeated measures research.

Learning Objectives: Longitudinal Designs: Advantages and Disadvantages

Questions to Consider

1. What is a longitudinal design? What features of the study illustrate this type of design?
2. What did the researchers find? What do the results suggest about using online research for longitudinal designs?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal designs? How do the advantages and disadvantages show up in the research?