Variables Flashcards
What does an experiment involve?
Manipulating one variable (IV) to see the effect on the other variable (DV), whilst trying to keep other variables under control.
Cause and effect.
Which is IV and Which is DV?
Cause = IV Effect = DV
What is the independent variable?
The variable that is manipulated (controlled).
What is the dependent variable?
The variable that is measured (to see if it has been affected).
What is operationalising?
What you are expected to do in exam.
Adding units is an example.
Why should you operationalise?
You need to be able to repeat the experiment, and so do other people, so you need to clarify.
What are extraneous variables?
Anything other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV, they are controlled by the experimented.
Do you want more of less extraneous variables?
The more the better.
What do extraneous variables allow?
The experiment to be repeated.
Two example of extraneous variables.
Time of day.
Number of participants.
What are confounding variables?
The variables that aren’t controlled - and which do affect the result (run them).
Do you want more of less confounding variables?
You do not want any.
Two example of confounding variables.
Weather.
Mood of participants.
