Types of variables Flashcards
What is the independent variable (IV)?
Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher so the effect on the DV can be measured.
What is the dependent variable (DV)?
The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV.
What is the extraneous variable?
Any variable, other than the independent variable, that may have an effect on the dependent variable if it is not controlled.
What happens if the extraneous variable isn’t controlled?
It becomes a confounding variable.
What is a confounding variable?
Any variable, other than the independent variable, that have affected the dependent variable so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the dependent variable.
What are types of extraneous variables?
Participant variables
Situational variables
Investigator effects
Demand characteristics
What are participant variables?
concern factors such as participants’ age and intelligence.
What are situational variables?
concern the experimental setting and surrounding environment, for example temperature and noise levels.
What are investigator effects?
concern changes in the personality, appearance and conduct of the researcher. For example, female researchers may gain different results from male ones.
What are demand characteristics?
Occur when the participants try to make sense of the research and act accordingly to support the aim of the research.
What happens if there are demand characteristics?
Presence of demand characteristics in a study suggest that there is a high risk that participants will change their natural behaviour in line with their interpretation of the aims of a study.
What is social desirability bias?
Participants’ behaviour when they note aspects of the study that have to do with particular social norms or expectations, and in turn present themselves in what they deem a socially acceptable fashion.
