Definitions - Variables, Aims + Hypotheses Flashcards
Define ‘independent variable’ (IV).
A variable that the reseracher manipulates to investigate whether it consequently brings change to another variable.
Define ‘dependent variable’ (DV).
Measured and predicated to be dependent upon the IV.
What does it mean to make a variable ‘operationalised’?
Make it measureable.
Define ‘extraneous variable’.
A general term for any variable, other than the IV, that might affect the results (DV).
Why is it important to control extraneous variables?
Where extraneous variables are important enough to cause a change in the DV, they become confounding variables.
What is an ‘aim’?
A statement of what the researcher intends to find out in a research study.
What is a ‘hypothesis’?
A precise and testable statement about the assumed relationship between variables.
What is a key part of making the hypothesis testable?
Operationalisation.
What is a ‘directional’ hypothesis?
It states that expected direction of the results.
What is a ‘non-directional’ hypothesis’?
It states that there will be a difference between conditions but not what the difference will be.
What does a hypothesis test for?
A difference that suggests an independent variable causes a dependent variable.
What does a ‘correlational hypothesis’ test do?
It predicts a relationship between two dependent variables.
