Variables

Question 1

Independent variable.

Answer 1

The variable the researcher manipulates, to investigate the impact it has on the DV.
EG Godden and Baddeley- location of learning the word list

Question 2

Dependent variable.

Answer 2

The variable the researcher measures, to investigate if the IV has had an impact on the DV.
EG Godden and Baddeley - # of words correctly recalled /10

Question 3

Why do IVs and DVs need to be operationalised?

Answer 3

They’re put into precise form do that they can be measured. They cannot be generic and should never have a one-word description. Operationalised variables should involve numbers.

Question 4

Extraneous variable.

Answer 4

A variable that might have an impact on the DV that is not the IV.

Question 5

Confounding variable.

Answer 5

A variable that does have an impact on the DV that is not the IV, therefore impacting the validity of the results.

Question 6

What are the two main types of extraneous/ confounding variables.

Answer 6

Situational- a variable relating to the context or environment in which the experiment takes place.
EG lighting, noise, temperature.

Participant- a variable relating to the sample of participants used in the experiment.
EG age, intelligence, personality.