topic 9 + 16 + 17 research methods

Question 1

what is an independent variable (IV)?

Answer 1

the ‘difference’ between the conditions. it is known as the variable that is manipulated/changed.

Question 2

what is a dependent variable (DV)?

Answer 2

the variable being measured (make sure it has been operationalised)

Question 3

what is an extraneous variable (EV)?

Answer 3

a variable other than the IV that can affect the DV. if not controlled, they can become confounding variables. EV’s are also known as nuisance variables.

Question 4

what is a situational variable?

Answer 4

the experimental setting and surrounding environment, the materials used e.g. temperature and noise levels - these should be standardised across conditions.

Question 5

what are demand characteristics?

Answer 5

pp’s changing their behaviour due to clues about what the aim of the research may be.

Question 6

what are participant variables?

Answer 6

individual differences within the participants including age, intelligence etc.

Question 7

what are investigator effects?

Answer 7

researcher expectation (bias) where researchers ‘see what they want to see’ or subconsciously indicate to the pp’s the desired results e.g. by being more encouraging during one condition. this can occur due to personality, appearance and conduct of the researcher.

Question 8

what is a confounding variable (CV)?

Answer 8

uncontrolled EV’s which may confuse the results by affecting the DV, essentially it becomes a second IV. cause and effect is then difficult to ascertain.