“Repeated measures is a term used when the same entities participate in all conditions of an experiment
or provide data at multiple time points” (Field, 2017). An example of a research design that would call for
a repeated measures ANOVA is the comparison of effective weight loss methods in adults. The research question could be: Are different weight loss methods more effective than other methods for adults? The researcher would observe the participant's performance under three different weight loss methods. The independent variable would be the different weight loss methods which include: routine exercise only with no specific diet, a low-calorie diet with exercise, and a high protein/low-carb diet with exercise.
Level 1: Routine exercise only with no specific diet
Level 2: Low-calorie diet with exercise
Level 3: High protein/low carb diet with exercise
Each participant would complete one level of the independent variable for one week so the experiment would have a 3-week timeframe. The dependent variables of the experiment would be the participant's performance and weight influx. The between-subjects design could be effective with this research question. Participants may lose a certain amount of weight during the prior levels of the experiment which could influence weight loss in future levels. In such a situation, the independent variables could act as mediator variables.
