Controlling Variables

Question 1

variable

Answer 1

any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation. variables are used in experiments to determine if changes in one ‘thing’ result in changes to another

Question 2

independent variable

Answer 2

the variable that is manipulated by the researcher so that they can measure the effects on the dependent variable

Question 3

dependent variable

Answer 3

the variable that is measured by the researcher. any effect on this variable should be caused by changes in the independent variables

Question 4

operationalisation variables

Answer 4

clearly define variables to ensure that they are made measurable. eg to measure confidence levels, you measure the amount of stutters

Question 5

control conditions

Answer 5

the condition in an experiment that provides a baseline measure of behaviour without the manipulation of the dependent variable. the results from the experimental conditions are compared to this condition.
eg control condition = no energy drinks
experimental condition = energy drinks

Question 6

experimental condition

Answer 6

the condition in an experiment that involves the manipulation of the independent variable. results from this condition are compared to the results from the control condition

Question 7

extraneous variable

Answer 7

any variable other than the independent variable, that may have an effect on the dependent variable if it is not controlled. they are “nuisance variables” that do not vary systematically with the independent variable - their effect is random

eg. noise, temperature or light

Question 8

confounding variable

Answer 8

any extraneous variable that varies systematically with the independent variable so that we cannot be sure of the true course of change to the dependent variable

eg personality

Question 9

how does confounding variables affect the speedup study

Answer 9

introverts may not talk a lot even after given speed up

extroverts may talk a lot even before

Question 10

demands characteristics

Answer 10

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 participants deliberately changing their behaviour within the research situation
it leads to the “please-u” and “screw-u” effects

Question 11

investigator effect

Answer 11

any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the dependent variable. this may include everything from the design of the study to the selection of and interaction with the participants during the study
eg age, gender, accent

Question 12

single blind procedure

Answer 12

when participants do not know which condition they are taking part in within the experiment

Question 13

double blind procedure

Answer 13

when neither the participant nor the investigator know which contortion the participants are taking part within an experiment

Question 14

random allocation

Answer 14

the use of chance in order, to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions

Question 15

counterbalancing

Answer 15

an attempt to control for the effect of order in a repeated measures design. half of the participants experience the conditions in one order (A then B), and the other half in the opposite order (B then A)

Question 16

standardisation

Answer 16

usually exactly the same formula used procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study. it means that non-standardised changes in the procedures do not act as extra around variables.