Controlling Variables

Question 1

extraneous variable

Answer 1

variable that affects the DV and does not vary systematically with the IV
e.g. lighting, age

Question 2

confounding variable

Answer 2

variable that affects the DV and varies systematically with the IV
e.g. time of day

Question 3

operationalisation

Answer 3

defining the variables in terms of how they are being measured

Question 4

demand characteristics

Answer 4

any cue that the researcher/environment may give which leads the pp to guess the aim of the investigation
- causes pp to act differently/change behaviour

Question 5

‘Please-U’ effect

Answer 5

pp acting in a way (in response to demand characteristics) that they think the researcher wants them to

Question 6

‘Screw-U’ effect

Answer 6

pp intentionally under performing (in response to demand characteristics) that sabotages the study’s results

Question 7

investigator effects

Answer 7

unwanted influence from the researcher’s behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the DV being measured
e.g. design of study, selection of pps, interaction with pps

Question 8

situational variables

Answer 8

features of the environment and experimental setting that may influence the behaviour of pps
e.g. order effects, heat, time of day

Question 9

order effects

Answer 9

pps’ responses in the various conditions are affected by the order of conditions to which they were exposed

Question 10

participant variables

Answer 10

characteristics/pp history that may influence the behaviour of pps
e.g. age, intelligence, gender

Question 11

randomisation

Answer 11

(minimises the effect of extraneous/confounding variables)
use of chance to reduce bias from investigator effects
e.g. selection of pps, order of experiment

Question 12

standardisation

Answer 12

(minimises the effect of extraneous/confounding variables)
using the exact same formalised procedures +instructions for all pps