Control Of Variables

Question 1

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 1

Any variable, other than the IV that may have affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV

Question 2

What are demand characteristics

Answer 2

Certain clues may help the participants interpret what’s going on. It may help them ‘second guess’ the experiments intentions as well as the aims of the study
Participants may change their behaviour

Question 3

What are investigator effects

Answer 3

Any effects of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome. May include the design of the study, the selection of and interaction with the participants

Question 4

What is randomisation

Answer 4

The use of chance in order to control the effects of bias when designing material and deciding the order of conditions

Question 5

What is standardisation

Answer 5

Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study

Question 6

What is an extraneous variable

Answer 6

Any variable, other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV if it’s not controlled. They may make it harder to detect a result