Research Methods:Extraneous Variables

Question 1

Extraneous variables

Answer 1

Factors that can affect the dependant variable

Question 2

Confounding variables

Answer 2

The variable that affects one condition more than the other, so it confounds the result.

Question 3

Participant variable

Answer 3

Individual differences

Age, Gender, Memory, Participant reactivity.

Question 4

Controls for participant variables

Answer 4

Large and random sample of participants
Repeated measures or matched pairs design
Random allocation of participant - only for independent group design

Question 5

Situational variables

Answer 5

Aspects of the environment or experiment which could affect DV.
Time of day, heat, demand characteristics, order effect.

Question 6

Experimenter variable

Answer 6

Aspects of experimenter which could affect participants.

Tone of voice, body language, bias.

Question 7

Controls of experimenter variables

Answer 7

Double blind

Inter-rater reliability

Question 8

Situational variable controls

Answer 8

Standardisation of instructions and procedures.
Reduce order effect by counterbalancing.
Reduce demand characteristics by deception or single blind