- Two independent variables (IVs), each with two levels.
- IV1 (Factor 1): Two levels (e.g., present vs. absent)
- IV2 (Factor 2): Two levels (e.g., high vs. low)
- A total of four groups (also known as "conditions" or "cells") created by the combination of the two IVs.
- Group 1: IV1 Level 1 + IV2 Level 1
- Group 2: IV1 Level 1 + IV2 Level 2
- Group 3: IV1 Level 2 + IV2 Level 1
- Group 4: IV1 Level 2 + IV2 Level 2
- Between-subjects design: Each participant is randomly assigned to one of the four groups and experiences only one combination of the IV levels.
- All other factors are controlled (held constant) to eliminate or minimize their influence on the results.
The primary purpose of a 2 x 2 between-subjects experimental design is to examine the main effects (separate effects) of each IV and the potential interaction effect between the IVs on a dependent variable (DV).
- The interaction effect refers to the extent to which the effects of one IV depend on the levels of the other IV.
- Main effects and interactions are statistically analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance).