Control of Variables Flashcards
(11 cards)
When are extraneous variables identified?
Extraneous variables tend to be identified at the start of a study, which then allows the researcher to take steps to minimise their influence
What are extraneous variables?
Other variables that might potentially interfere with the IV that neeed to be controlled or removed
What term is used to describe the variables that are straightforward to control such as age etc?
Nuisance variables
What are confounding variables?
Any variable that may have affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV
What is participant reactivity?
Participant reactivity is when the participants take their time to try and make sense of the new situation
What are investigator effects?
Any effect of the investigator’s behaviour on the research outcome
What are two ways that participants may act to either aid or sabotage the research?
What is the name given to describe a participant aiding the research or sabotaging the research?
Participants may act in way that they think is expected or over - perform to please the experimenter (this is called the ‘please-U effect)
They may also deliberately under - perform to sabotage the results of the study (this is called the ‘screw-U effect)
What are demand characteristics?
Any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation. This may lead to a participant changing their behaviour within the research situation
What can participant reactivity lead to?
Participant reactivity can lead to investigator effects
What is randomisation?
Randomisation refers to the use of chance wherever possible to reduce the researcher’s influence on the design of the investigation. An attempt to control investigator effects
What is standardisation?
Standardisation is when the exact same formal procedures and instructions are used for all participants in a research study
