Variables - Research Methods Flashcards
What are ‘factors that can vary or change within a study’ called?
Variables
Define operationalised.
Turning abstract concepts into measurable observations.
What is the Dependent Variable?
The variable that is measured in an experiment.
What is the variable that is changed in an experiment called?
Independent Variable
What are ‘factors that are not the independent variable, but might affect the results of the study if they are not controlled’ called?
Extraneous Variables
What are extraneous variables?
factors that are not the independent variable, but might affect the results of the study if they are not controlled
What are Control Variables?
Factors that are kept the same in an experiment
What are; making sure that all participants are given exactly the same instructions and do the tasks in exactly the same way examples of?
Standardisation
Give an example of standardisation:
making sure that all participants are given exactly the same instructions and do the tasks in exactly the same way
when is standardisation useful?
to help control researcher bias
What is Randomisation?
Randomly assigning participants to different conditions. This means that the condition that the participant takes part in is determined by chance.
when is randomisation useful?
to help control researcher bias and participant variables
What is it called when researchers don’t tell participants the aim of the study or which condition they are in?
single-blind design
when is single-blind design useful?
controlling extraneous variables such as demand characteristics
What is Double-blind Design?
Not telling participants the aim of the study or which condition they are in and hiring someone to run the experiment for them. They do not tell this person the aim of the study or which condition each participant is in.
when is a Double-blind Design useful?
controlling extraneous variables such as demand characteristics and researcher bias
How is counterbalancing done?
The participants are randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group would then do condition 1 first followed by condition 2. The second group would do condition 2 first followed by condition 1.
when is counterbalancing useful?
to control any order effects
What is a type of situational variable that occurs when participants have to repeat a test?
Order Effect
What is Demand Characteristics?
A type of situational variable where participants guess, or are told, the aims of the study and so behave differently.
what are participant variables?
a type of extraneous variable where it is characteristics of individual participants that might influence the results of the study.
give an example of a participant variable
age, IQ, mood, personality, ability, upbringing
What are Situational Variables?
A type of extraneous variable where the characteristics of the environment might influence the results of the study.
give an example of a situational variable
noise, temperature, light
What is is Researcher bias/ investigator effects?
a type of extraneous variable where the person doing the research might influence the results of the study because they know the aim and want to try to fulfil it called
What are Confounding Variables? And why are they called that?
When participant/situational variables definitely affect the results they are then called confounding variables. This is because they have confounded (damaged) the results.
