Lecture 6 - Variables Flashcards
1
Q
Operational Definitions
L6, P.1
A
- Often required in research to study psychological variables
- Things that correlate to what we cant measure
- A set of operations for measuring what you are interested in
- EX. wanting to measure intelligence isnt possible so it can be operationally defined as IQ* scores in a research study so it can be measure properly
*Intelligence Quotient
2
Q
Dependant Variables
DV - (Outcome OR Results Variable)
L6, P.1
A
- The thing we are interested in learning about
- its value depends on other varaibles in the experiment
- EX. if you want to study Anxiety in an experiment then heart rate tests would become anxiety operationally defined and those heart rate tests become the DV of the study
3
Q
Independant Variables
IV(s) - (Predictor Variable)
L6, P.2
A
- The one you manipulate or sort
- look to see if ti had an impact on the DV
- Must have at least two values so theres something to compare the DV levels to
- EX. Work to do in an anxiety study - one group gets a lot of work and another gets less (amount of work = IV’s)
4
Q
Extraneous Variables
EV(s) - (Threatening Variables)
L6, P.2
A
- All other varaibles that exist in the universe that may have an impact on the DV that are not IV’s
- Makes research hard
- Cannot impact IV’s, just the DV
- Usually are not measured
- EX. Work to do in an anxiety study - Giving work is the IV BUT the DV can also be potentially impacted by EV’s if not controlled - Giving more work to one group could make them not sleep (Not sleeping/Being tired = EV) them not sleeping could make them more anxious
5
Q
Confounding Variables
L6, P.2
A
- When an EV interacts with a study and interferes with how we interpret our results
- is NOT a confounding variable UNLESS it interferes with the result of the DV
- How are we supposed to know that our IV’s were what actually caused a change in out DV if EV’s are not controlled
6
Q
Control Variables
(Restricting Variable)
L6, P.3
A
- EV’s that are controlled so they cannot become a confounding variable and impact the IV’s results on the DV
- Hold EV’s constant or randomizes
- EX. Work to do in an anxiety study - amount of sleep is a possible confounding variable that becomes a controlled one if members from both groups are paired up to sleep at the exact same times*
*Holds amount of sleep constant
7
Q
Randomization
L6, P.3
A
- Used to turn possible confounding variables into controlled ones
- EX. you dont know subjects previous knowledge on a skill test so you split up subjects randomly between groups so that the subjects previous knowledge cannot turn into a confounding variable*
*Is now a Control Variable
