variables

• Independent variable (IV)


  The aspect of the experiment which has been manipulated by the researcher or simply changes naturally to have an effect on the DV
• Dependent variable (DV)


  The aspect of the study which is measured by the researcher and has been caused by a change to the IV
• Extraneous variable


  Any other variable which is not the IV that affects the DV and does not vary systematically with the IV
• Confounding variable


  A variable other than the IV which has an effect on the DV and changes systematically with the IV
• control variable

  A factor that researchers ensure is the same in all conditions to make the study replicable and to avoid extraneous variables
• participant variable


  Differences between the people taking part in the study which act as Extraneous variables
• situational variables

  Differences between the environments of each condition in the study which act as Extraneous variables