AIMS, HYPOTHESES, IV/DV, CONTROL OF VARIABLES

Question 1

independent variables (IVs)

Answer 1

manipulated

Question 2

dependent variables

Answer 2

measured by the researchers.

Question 3

Extraneous variable

Answer 3

• undesirable variables that affect the relationship between IV and DV.
• E.G they will then try and minimise their influence
  straightforward to control such as age of pps and lighting in lab

Question 4

Confounding variables

Answer 4

• factors other than the IV that may cause a result.
• E.G** personality is a confounding variable**

Question 5

Operationalisation of variables

Answer 5

• How you will define and measure a specific variable as it is used in your study.

Question 6

Directional

Answer 6

• a prediction made regarding a positive or negative change.
• e.g ‘girls will score higher than boys in A level’

Question 7

non - directional

Answer 7

• predicts that the IV will have an affect on the DV but not how
• e.g ‘a significant difference between alevel scores of girls and boys’

Question 8

null

Answer 8

there is no statistical difference between two variables

Question 9

which one to pick DIRECTIONAL AND NON-DIRECTIONAL

Answer 9

Directional = sufficient background evidence (previous research)

Non-directional = if evidence is unclear + researcher wants to suggest they are avoiding bias

Question 10

operationalisation

Answer 10

• This term describes when a variable is defined by the researcher and a way of measuring that variable is developed for the research.
• This is not always easy and care must be taken to ensure that the method of measurement gives a valid measure for the variable.
• The term operationalisation can be applied to independent variables (IV), dependent variables (DV) or co variables (in a correlational design)