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Variables

The document explains the concepts of independent, dependent, and extraneous variables in research. The independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable, which is measured to assess outcomes. Extraneous variables, including participant and situational variables, can influence results and may lead to confounding effects if not controlled.

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bhakti Sharma
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5 views2 pages

Variables

The document explains the concepts of independent, dependent, and extraneous variables in research. The independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable, which is measured to assess outcomes. Extraneous variables, including participant and situational variables, can influence results and may lead to confounding effects if not controlled.

Uploaded by

bhakti Sharma
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

Independent variable

The independent variable is a variable that the researcher manipulates or changes intentionally in an
experiment to study on another variable. It is considered the cause in a cause and effect relationship

Example: If a psychologist wants to study the effect of sleep on memory, the amount of sleep is the
independent memory

2. Dependent variable

The dependent variable is the variable that the researcher measures to see the effect of the
independent variable. It is considered the effect or outcome in the study. The score on a memory test
after different amount of sleep would be the dependent variable

3. Extraneous variable

Extraneous variables are any other variables that are not the focus of the study but could be influence
the outcome if not controlled. These variables can interfere with the relationship between the
independent and dependent variables

Example: In a study on sleep and memory, extraneous variables could be caffeine intake, stress levels or
prior knowledge of the test material

Types of extraneous variable:

i. Participant variables

These extraneous variables are related to the individual characteristics of each study participant that
may impact how they respond. These factors can include background differences, mood, anxiety,
intelligence, awareness and other characteristics that are unique to each person.

ii. Situational variables

These extraneous variables relate to things in the environment that may impact how each participant
responds

Example: If a participant is taking a test in a chilly room, the temperature would be considered as n
extraneous variable

iii. Demand Characteristics

Clues in the environment that suggests how a participant should behave

iv. Experimenter effects

When a researcher unintentionally suggests clues for how a participant should behave

v. Confounding variables

If a variable cannot be controlled, it becomes what is known as confounding variable this type of
variable can have an impact on the dependent variable, which can make it difficult to determine if the
results are due to the influence of the independent variable, the confounding variable or an interaction

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