Variables

• What is a variable in the context of psychological research?

  A variable is any 'thing' that can change or be measured within an investigation
• What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  The IV is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher to see if it causes an effect
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

  The DV is the variable that is measured by the researcher to see if it is affected by the IV
• What is an extraneous variable (EV)?

  Also known as a control variable, may affect the cause and effect if not controlled
• What is a confounding variable (CV)?

  A CV is a type of EV that varies with the IV
• Why is it important to control extraneous and confounding variables in an experiment?

  Failure to control them means we cannot confidently say there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the IV and DV
• What does it mean to operationalise a variable?

  To operationalise a variable means to make it measurable by defining it in observable terms
• What is the significance of operationalising variables in psychological research?

  It allows researchers to measure abstract concepts objectively