Third Quarter

• Research design structures the research and shows how all major project elements connect
• Variation in the universe is the goal of all research to investigate and clarify variances
• Variables are quantities susceptible to fluctuation or change in value under different conditions
• Variables are used for comparison between objects or experimental units, to specify focus of investigation, and define project scope
• Independent variable is the presumed cause or influence of change, while dependent variable is the focus of investigation
• Scientific constant is an experimental element unchanged throughout investigation
• Intervening or extraneous variables produce differences between groups not attributed to the independent variable
• Sex is considered a confounding variable in the research study
• Independent variable is the plant X pellets being tested for its capacity to enhance the growth rate of cichlids
• Water pH, salinity, and oxygen level are assumed constant in the study
• Fish age is constant, but fish sex can vary due to hormonal changes
• Continuous variables are measured attributes within a finite or infinite interval
• Discrete variables are distinct values that are counted
• Variables can be classified based on the level of measurement using the acronym NOIR