Control Variables

Question 1

What is an operational variables?

Answer 1

The process of ensuring variables are in a form which can be easily tested and specifically defined in order to be Fully understood.

Question 2

What is an extraneous variable?

Answer 2

Any variable other than the independent variable that may have an effect on the dependent variable If it’s not controlled.

Question 3

Why are many extraneous variables identified before the study starts?

Answer 3

To ensure that the IV (only) affects the DV!!

Question 4

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 4

Any extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV (in a fixed system), So that we cannot be sure of the true source of change to the DV.

Question 5

What is a demand characteristic?

Answer 5

Any cue from the researcher ( or from the research situation) that may be interpreted
by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation.

Question 6

What happens when demand characteristics are involved within an experiment?

Answer 6

They may lead to participants deliberately or unconsciouslychanging their behaviour.

Question 7

What are investigator effects?

Answer 7

Any effect of the investigator’s behaviour (deliberate or unconscious) on the DV.

Question 8

What is randomisation?

Answer 8

Trying to control effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions.
- This helps to remove extraneous variables !

(Includes participants being randomly allocated to different conditions.)

Question 9

What is standardisation?

Answer 9

Using the exact same procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.
- This means that non-standardised changes in the procedure do not act as extraneous variables.

Standardisation reduces:
- situational variables.
- investigator effects.
- demand characteristics.

Question 10

What are blind procedures?

Answer 10

• when participants don’t know which condition they’re being part in, within an experiment.
• used to reduce demand characteristics, and effect of them on an experiment!

Question 11

What are double-blind procedures?

Answer 11

• When the participants and the investigators both do not know which condition the participants is taking part of, within an experiment.
• reduces demand characteristics and investigator effects.