Controlling Variables

Question 1

Types of variables

Answer 1

Participant variables
situation variables
experimental variables

Question 2

Participant variables

Answer 2

Where individual characteristics of participants affect their behaviour in experiment.
E.g. age may be a confounding variable in an experiment about reaction time

Question 3

Situational variables

Answer 3

Whether there behaviour might be affected because of the environment they have been experimented in.

To control situation variables the researchers should ensure that participants in each could undertake the task at the same time

Question 4

Experimental variables

Answer 4

When the experimenter treats participants differently to others

To control is the researcher should provide the participant written instructions to minimise the contact between them