Unit 3 - Topic 2 - Experimentation - Section B - Experimental Design - Part I - Independent and dependent variables Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an independent variable

A

The variable that is changed in a scientific experiment.

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2
Q

What is a dependent variable

A

The variable being measured in a scientific experiment

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3
Q

What can independent and dependent variables be

A

Continuous or discrete

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4
Q

What do experiments involve

A

The manipulation of the independent variable by the investigator

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5
Q

What 2 groups are compared

A

The experimental treatment group is compared to a control group

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6
Q

Describe the use and limitations of a simple (one independent variable) experimental design

A

The control of laboratory conditions allows simple experiments to be conducted more easily than in the field. However, a drawback of a simple experiment is that its findings may not be applicable to a wider setting

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7
Q

What does a multifactorial (more than one independent variable) experimental design involve

A

A multifactorial experiment involves a combination of more than one independent variable or combination of treatments

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8
Q

How can there be no truly independent variable

A

Investigators may use groups that already exist

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9
Q

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of observational studies

A

Observational studies are good at detecting correlation, but since they do not directly test a hypothesis, they are less useful for determining causation

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10
Q

In observational studies what is not directly controlled and why

A

In observational studies the independent variable is not directly controlled by the investigator, for ethical or logistical reasons

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