variables

• the independent variable is the variable that is manipulated (changed) by a researcher
• the dependent variable is one that is measured and changes based on the independent variable
• operationalising variables means that you are making things that cannot be measured measurable
• independent variable = manipulated
• dependent variable = measured
• extraneous variables are those you are not investigating that can potentially affect the outcomes of the study
• it is important to control extraneous variables because if left uncontrolled it may lead to inaccurate conclusions
• confounding variables are when a variable becomes more important than the independent variable
• an example of when confounding variables change the results is harlows monkeys - confounding variable was that the monkeys faces which interrupted with independent varibale of monkey liking cloth or wire monkey