variables

Question 1

What is the independent variable

Answer 1

• Something directly manipulated by an experiment to test the effect on the dependent variable

Question 2

What is the dependent variable

Answer 2

• The changes measured when the Independent variable is manipulated

Question 3

What are confounding variables

Answer 3

• This is a variable that isn’t that independent variable that varies systematically with the independent variable
• For example the temperature rises and so does ice cream cells
• It may look like an increase in ice cream sales is causing more cases of heat stroke when actually it’s the temperature

Question 4

What are extraneous variables

Answer 4

• Any variable aside from the IV that affects the measurement of the dependent variable

Question 5

Give examples of Extraneous variables

Answer 5

• demand characteristics
• Participant variables (personality)
• Situational variables (temperature, light levels, time of day)
• Order effects

Question 6

How can extraneous variables be controlled

Answer 6

• Demand characteristics can be controlled using a single blind, This is when the participant is unaware of the aim of the study
• To reduce researcher effects A double blind could be used, This is when both the participants and the researcher is unaware of the aim of the study
• Participant variables can be controlled using random allocation and matched pairs or repeated measures design
• Situational variables can be controlled by using a standardised procedure
• Order effects can be reduced using counterbalancing