experimental method

• aim


  general statement that describes what the researcher intends to investigate in a study
• hypothesis


  a specific + testable prediction of the relationship between the variables being investigated
• experimental method


  a research approach used to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables

  
  

  involves manipulating the IV to observe its effect on the DV, while controlling for extraneous variables.
• independent variable (IV)


  the variable the investigator manipulates/changes

  
  

  e.g background noise volume heard whilst taking an exam
• dependent variable (DV)


  the variable the investigator measures/observes

  e.g the result of the exam
• extraneous variable


  an unwanted variable that may influence the DV. DOES NOT vary systematically with the DV