experimental method

• What does the experimental method involve?

  The manipulation of an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable
• What is the aim of a research study?

  A general statement of what a researcher intends to find out in a research study
• How are aims developed in research?

  Aims are developed from theories and reading previous research
• What is a hypothesis?

  A precise and testable statement about the assumed relationships between variables
• What are the two types of hypotheses?

  Directional and non-directional hypotheses
• What does a directional hypothesis state?

  It states the direction of the relationship between the variables
• What does a non-directional hypothesis indicate?

  It indicates that there is a difference between the variables without specifying the direction
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?

  When there has been prior research suggesting a particular outcome
• When would a non-directional hypothesis be used?

  When there is contradictory past research or no past research available
• What is the independent variable in an experiment?

  The independent variable is the aspect of the experiment which has been manipulated by the researcher.
• How does the independent variable affect the dependent variable?

  The independent variable changes naturally or is manipulated to have an effect on the dependent variable.
• What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

  The dependent variable is the aspect that the researcher measures and is caused by changes to the independent variable.
• Why is it important to control other variables in an experiment?

  It is important to control other variables so the researcher can confidently conclude that the effect on the dependent variable is caused by the independent variable.
• What does operationalization mean in research?

  Operationalization is the act of a researcher clearly defining the variables in terms of how they will be measured to ensure they are easily testable.
• Why is operationalization important in research?

  Operationalization is important because it ensures that variables are clearly defined and easily testable.
• What is an extraneous variable?

  An extraneous variable is any variable that is not the independent variable (IV) but affects the dependent variable (DV). does not vary systematically with the iv
• How do extraneous variables affect the detection of significant effects?

  They muddy the waters and make it more difficult to detect a significant effect.
• What is a confounding variable?

  A confounding variable is a variable other than the independent variable (IV) that has an effect on the dependent variable (DV) and varies systematically with the IV.
• Why can confounding variables make the outcome meaningless?

  Because they could have been the cause of the change in the dependent variable (DV).
• What are the key differences between extraneous and confounding variables?

  • **Extraneous Variables:**
  • Not the independent variable (IV)
  • Affect the dependent variable (DV)
  • Do not vary systematically with the IV
  • Considered nuisance variables

  
  

  • **Confounding Variables:**
  • Not the independent variable (IV)
  • Affect the dependent variable (DV)
  • Vary systematically with the IV
  • Can cause changes in the DV, making outcomes meaningless
• why is operationalisation of variables important

  It is important from the point of view of objectivity, replicability and control of extraneous variables