Varibles Flashcards
What are co variables
Measurements that have been made that are compared to see if they are associated
How does a correlational study work
- 2 measure co varibles are assessed for a relationship
- direction of the relationship between 2 co variables can be described
What is a positive relationship in correlational studies
When one co variable increases and so does the other
Negative relationship in correlational studies
Measurement of one cor varibles increase the measurement of the other decrease
Independent varible
- Variables researcher manipulates
- forms conditions of the experiment
Dependant variables
- what u are measuring
Operationalised
Sustains exactly what the variable is and how it is to be measured
Extraneous varible
- Any variable that could influence the measurement of the DV
Demand characteristics
- of the ptp thinks they have discovered the aim, the may change their behaviour to match what they think the researcher wants
Participant variables
In an Independent group if there are more people with relevant characteristics, prior knowledge or skills related to the task it can result in a different performance between conditions unrelated to IV
Situational varibles
- environmental factors present in one condition but not the other condition that could lead to a change in behaviour between the conditions
- related to temp, noise, usual diffenreces
Order effect
Eg Repeated measures
- ptps has already completed one condition can alter behaviour in the second condition
-due to practise/fatigue
Confounding variables
- Varible other than IV that changes systematically between levels of IV
- changing IV you will also change the confounding variable
- hides IVS true effect o the DV as researcher measuring the confounding variable in addition to the IVS
How to reduced ptp variable’s
Random allocation
- removes potential bias in assigning more ptpt with relevant characteristics into one condition
How to reduce order effect
Counter balancing
- ABBA
- half ptps complete condition a than b
- other half complete condition b than a
- this means order effect eg practise influences each condition equally
how to reduce situational varibles
Standardisation of procedure
- script of standardised instructions Tat is red in the same way to each ptp
- standardising ensure that each ptp has the same experience aside from the variation in the IV
How to reduce demand characteristics
Single and double blind trails
- single blind = ptp does not know the aim of the experiment
-double blind = both ptp and reuse her ones not know aim of study
Stops researcher influencing behaviour with body language
Or a Standardised script
Pilot studies
Small scale version of the main research study conduced before the main study
Aims of pilot studies
Improve quality of the main research study by assessing the experience of ptp in the pilot
Examples of wht a pilot study can reveal
- check for ethical issues
- unexpected extraneous varibles can be controlled
- takes to much time ma need to alter standardised procedure
What is a peer review
- Before publication = researcher show their written up study to other experts in their field, and reviewed
- unaccounted variables may be identified that have confounded results
