variables Flashcards
(14 cards)
independent variable
the variable that is beinf manipulated by the experimenter to observe its effects on the dependant variable
dependent variable
the variable that is being measured by the experimenter
controlled variables
the variable that stays consistent throughout an experiment
extraneous variable
unwanted variable that may impact the dependant variable
-researchers may not be aware of EV until the study is completed
-any EV that the researcher controls turns into controlled variables
participant variables
type of extraneuous variables relating to the individuasl characteristics of participants
-could turn into confounding variables if not controlled
-can be controlled by making sure that sample all have similar personal characteristics, suitable for the study
-e.g. motivation, educational background, age, gender, self esteem, intelligence
environmental variables
type of EV relating to the environment the study takes place in and how this affexts participant responses
-e.g. testing venue, background noise, time of day
researcher variables
type of EV relating to rhe personality characteristics, appearance and conduct of the reseacher that unintentionally impact participant response
-e.g. accent, attractiveness, gender, personality
confounding variables
variables that impact the dependent variable and also have a causal correlational relationship with the independent variable
-alter relationship between the IV and the DV & complicate results
experimenter effect
source of extraneous variable and confounding variables
the expectations and bahvaiours of the researcher that may bias results
-researcher could accidentely or conciously give away desired outcome of research
-may present instructions differently to different groups or participants
double blind procedure
-minimises experimenter effect
-where the researcher, as well as the participants are unaware of the experimental conditions, can help reduce experimenter effect
demand characteristics
-cues participants percieve during a study that lead them to believe they have discovered the aim of the study or expectations of the researcher
random allocation of participants
-minimise the effects of EV and CV
-ensure each participant in the sample has an equal chance of being chosen for the control group as for the experimental group
-participant variables can be minimise- ensures participants w personal characteristics are spread between experimental and control groups
-researcher wants to ensure that the DV is caused by the IV and not due to personal characteristics
-minimised researcher effect- researcher cant distribute participants into groups and personally decide who is going to be in the experimental group
single blind procedure
the experimenter is aware of the experimental conditions (which participants are in the control and experimental group) while the participants are unaware of them
-researcher is aware of the aim and conditions (experimental vs control), particpants do not as it can result in DEMAND characteristics(DECEPTION is used)
standarisation of precedures and instructions
-environment variables can be minimised by providing the same location and conditions for all participants
-providing the same instructions to each group of participants can minimise researcher variables and experimenter effect
