RESEARCH METHODS: Variables Flashcards
What is an independent variable
The variable that is changed/manipulated
eg. the different groups, conditions
What is a dependent variable
The variable that is measured/will be affected by the changes
What is operationalisation
This means how we are going to measure our variables. We must define how we intend to measured the IV & DV
Example of operationalisation
After drinking 300ml of Red Bull, participants say more words in the next 5mins than participants who drink 300ml of water
What are extraneous variables
Anything that impacts the dependent variable that is not the independent variable
4 control methods
- Random allocation
- Counterbalancing
- Randomisation
- Standardisation
What is randomisation
Materials are presented in a random order to avoid order effects. Participants may be asked to learn a list of words in a different order
What is counterbalancing
Half of the participants participate in conditions A before condition B & vice versa. This means that the 1st & 2nd condition is not the same for every participant.
What is random allocation
An attempt to control for participant variables in an independent groups design which ensures that each participants has the same chance of being in one condition as any other.
What is standardisation
Using exactly the same formalised procedures & instructions for all participants in a research study
How can extraneous variables be controlled
What are confounding variables
