VARIABLE
A part of an investigation that can be
CHANGED
3 TYPES OF VARIABLES
[Link] Variable
[Link] Variable
[Link] Variable
While the independent variable is often manipulated
by the researcher, it can also be a classification
where subjects are assigned to groups. In a study
where one variable causes the other, the independent
variable is the cause. ... The dependent variable is
the outcome.
The dependent variable (sometimes known as the
responding variable) is what is being studied and
measured in the experiment. It's what changes as a
result of the changes to the independent variable. An
example of a dependent variable is how tall you are
at different ages.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
• The variable that can be changed
during an experiment
• The variable that the scientists
chooses to change
• The variable that may cause a
change in the dependent variable
DEPENDENT VARIABLE
•The factor that is being measured in an
experiment
•The variable that is measured by
scientists
•The variable that may change because
of the independent variable
CONTROLLED VARIABLE
(CONSTANT)
•Variable that stays the same during an
experiment
•Variable that is controlled by the scientist
•Variable that is not allowed to change
Identify the independent and dependent variables in
each of the following statements:
a. Hunger has an effect on the aggression of cats.
b. Practice increases learning on spatial tasks.
c. Teaching method has an effect on grade received
in statistics.
d. Motor performance is lowered by threat of
punishment.
e. Imagery increases vocabulary.
f. Positive reinforcement leads to an increase in
prosocial behaviors.
g. Attention is affected by room temperature.
h. The mood of the participants depended on the
weather.
Identify the experimental and control groups in the
following statements:
a. In order to examine the effects of alcohol on driving ability,
Group 1 was given alcohol, while Group 2 received no alcohol.
b. In a study on the effects of practice on performance, Group 1
did the task without practice, while Group 2 received 20 practice
trials.
c. To investigate the effects of imagery on learning, Group 1 saw
40 words with pictures below them, while Group 2 saw the same
words without pictures.
d. To demonstrate the negative effect of marijuana on motor
skills, Group 1 performed a motor task after being exposed to
marijuana, while Group 2 performed the same task without
marijuana.
e. In an experiment on the effect of music on mood, Group 1 sat
in silence for 20 minutes, while Group 2 listened to music for 20
minutes.
Plant Growth Experiment.
Check the pdf
Variables Explained
... In this experiment, the addition of fertilizer is the independent variable
manipulated by the scientist. Plant height is the dependent variable that
responds to the change in the independent variable.
Each plant is exposed to an equal amount of sunlight, so sunlight is the
control variable.
In Rana's experiment, she observed the growth of the
plants after watering. She noted the color of the leaves.
On each of the 3 plants and recorded this in her notes.
This would be considered....
a. Neither
b. Qualitative observation
c. Quantitative observation
d. All of the above
Rise of Cookies Experiment
Randa is trying a new cookie recipe. She wants to see if the
amount of baking powder she uses will make the cookies rise
more. She makes three sets of cookies and changes the
amount of baking powder for each set.
What is the independent variable?
__________________________________
What is the dependent variable?
__________________________________
Variables explained
Independent Variable: The independent variable represents
the variable that the experimenters manipulate in the
experiment. In our experiment, the independent variable
was the substance used whether it be baking soda or
baking powder.
Dependent Variable: The dependent variable represents
the variable that is being observed after the manipulation of
the independent variable. In our experiment, the
independent variable was the rise of the cookies in
comparison to the substance that we used.
Independent Variable: Substance used (baking soda or
baking powder)
Dependent Variable: Rise of cookies
Control Variables: Sample size, heat of oven, and time
heated
Confounding Variables: Chocolate chips
Sample Sizes: One Mini Baking Set
Control Variables: Control variables are the variable that the
experimenters are able to ensure stay the same between
trials. In our experiment, the control variables include the
sample size, the temperature of the oven, and the amount of
the time the cookies were baking. Controlled variables
eliminate some possible biases that could occur.
Confounding Variables: Confounding variables are variables
that the experimenters do not take into account as affecting
the end results. In our experiment, a confounding variable we
can across was the chocolate chips and the height that they
added.
Sample Size: The sample size is the amount of each
substance that it is used in each trial. It is vital that the amount
of each substance being used remains the same because
changing the amount of substances could result in a bias in
the results.