research methods definitions

Question 1

Confounding variable

Answer 1

A type of extraneous variable that is related to the independent variable in the experiment

Eg, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, the relative levels of sensitivity to anxiety-inducing stimuli would be a confounding variable

Question 1

Control variables

Answer 1

Any variables that are kept constant through the experiment to prevent their effect on the dependant variable

Question 2

Counterbalancing

Answer 2

To make half the participant sample experience the different conditions of the experiment in one order, and the other half of the participants complete it in the opposite order

Question 3

Demand characterises (DC)

Answer 3

Changes in the participant behaviour to comply with the hypothesis of the researcher

Question 4

Dependent variable

Answer 4

The variable that changes in response to manipulation of the researcher that is being measured for the experiment

Eg, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on meteors recall, memory recall would be the dependant variable

Question 5

Directional hypotheses

Answer 5

A hypothesis that specifies the direction of the relationship of the experiment

Eg, coffee will have a positive effect on the reaction time of participants