Variables

Question 1

What is a variable?

Answer 1

Any factor that can vary or change within an investigation. They are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one factor result in changes to another.

Question 2

What is a independant variable?

Answer 2

Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated (changed) by the researcher, or changes naturally, so the effect on the dependent variable can be measured.

Question 3

What is a dependant variable?

Answer 3

The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the dependent variable should be caused by the change in the independent variable.

Question 4

What is an aim?

Answer 4

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate (the purpose of the study). It is stated at the outset of the study.

Question 5

What is a experimental group/condition?

Answer 5

The group/condition in the experiment that received the experimental treatment (the independent variable)

Question 6

What is a control group/condition?

Answer 6

The group/condition in the experiment that receives no treatment (they are the baseline)

Question 7

What is operationalisation?

Answer 7

Clearly specifying/defining observable behaviours that represent the more general construct under investigation/to enable the behaviour under investigation to be measured. In simple terms, this means: clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.