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Questions and Answers
In a study examining the impact of a new teaching method on student test scores, what role does the teaching method play?
In a study examining the impact of a new teaching method on student test scores, what role does the teaching method play?
- Dependent variable
- Independent variable (correct)
- Control variable
- Intervening variable
A researcher is studying the effect of sleep duration on academic performance. Identify the independent variable in this scenario.
A researcher is studying the effect of sleep duration on academic performance. Identify the independent variable in this scenario.
- Sleep duration (correct)
- Student's GPA
- Sleep quality
- Academic performance
If researchers are studying how different amounts of fertilizer affect plant growth, what is the dependent variable?
If researchers are studying how different amounts of fertilizer affect plant growth, what is the dependent variable?
- Type of fertilizer
- Soil type
- Plant growth (correct)
- Amount of water given to the plants
When conducting research on how a new drug affects blood pressure, a researcher ensures that all participants follow the same diet. Which type of variable is 'diet'?
When conducting research on how a new drug affects blood pressure, a researcher ensures that all participants follow the same diet. Which type of variable is 'diet'?
In a study examining the relationship between income and happiness, 'financial security' is introduced as a factor that explains this relationship. What type of variable is 'financial security'?
In a study examining the relationship between income and happiness, 'financial security' is introduced as a factor that explains this relationship. What type of variable is 'financial security'?
Which of these options accurately describes a primary source?
Which of these options accurately describes a primary source?
Which type of source is best described as accounts or analyses of intellectuals done by researchers some time after events?
Which type of source is best described as accounts or analyses of intellectuals done by researchers some time after events?
What distinguishes an independent variable from a dependent variable in experimental research?
What distinguishes an independent variable from a dependent variable in experimental research?
How does a control variable primarily function in experimental designs?
How does a control variable primarily function in experimental designs?
Which of the following scenarios describes a mediating variable?
Which of the following scenarios describes a mediating variable?
If you are trying to understand the original intent behind a historical event, which source is most suitable?
If you are trying to understand the original intent behind a historical event, which source is most suitable?
Why is it important to determine if a source is published in a scholarly or technical periodical?
Why is it important to determine if a source is published in a scholarly or technical periodical?
In a study determining effects of different study strategies on test scores, what type of variable is 'study strategy'?
In a study determining effects of different study strategies on test scores, what type of variable is 'study strategy'?
In the same study determining effects of different study strategies on test scores, what type of variable is 'test scores'?
In the same study determining effects of different study strategies on test scores, what type of variable is 'test scores'?
In a study researching the influence of advertising strategies on sales conversion rates, what kind of variable is 'advertising strategies'?
In a study researching the influence of advertising strategies on sales conversion rates, what kind of variable is 'advertising strategies'?
In a study researching the influence of advertising strategies on sales conversion rates, what kind of variable is 'sales conversion rates'?
In a study researching the influence of advertising strategies on sales conversion rates, what kind of variable is 'sales conversion rates'?
A study is performed on how education affects job salary. The researchers observe that job skills are improved with education, which leads to a higher income. In this scenario, what kind of variable is 'job skills'?
A study is performed on how education affects job salary. The researchers observe that job skills are improved with education, which leads to a higher income. In this scenario, what kind of variable is 'job skills'?
What is the role of a 'variable' in quantitative studies?
What is the role of a 'variable' in quantitative studies?
When checking the reliability of a source, what consideration should be made of the 'author'?
When checking the reliability of a source, what consideration should be made of the 'author'?
You are studying the effects of social media usage on test scores. However, you find the effect is actually caused by how much less students study on account of using social media so much. In this scenario, what type of variable 'study time'?
You are studying the effects of social media usage on test scores. However, you find the effect is actually caused by how much less students study on account of using social media so much. In this scenario, what type of variable 'study time'?
In an experiment, what is the primary reason for including a control variable?
In an experiment, what is the primary reason for including a control variable?
A researcher is studying the effect of a new language learning app on students' vocabulary acquisition. What could be a potential dependent variable?
A researcher is studying the effect of a new language learning app on students' vocabulary acquisition. What could be a potential dependent variable?
In order to best evaluate a source, beyond the author and periodical, what other factors should a researcher consider?
In order to best evaluate a source, beyond the author and periodical, what other factors should a researcher consider?
Which type of source is best represented by diaries, letters, and interviews?
Which type of source is best represented by diaries, letters, and interviews?
Which of the following is an example of a tertiary source?
Which of the following is an example of a tertiary source?
Flashcards
Variable
Variable
A characteristic, property, or factor that can take on different values or levels in research.
Independent Variable
Independent Variable
The variable that researchers manipulate or control in a study. It can cause changes in another variable.
Dependent Variable
Dependent Variable
The variable that researchers measure or observe to determine the effect of the independent variable.
Mediating Variable
Mediating Variable
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Control Variable
Control Variable
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Primary Source
Primary Source
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Secondary Source
Secondary Source
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Tertiary Source
Tertiary Source
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How to Evaluate Sources
How to Evaluate Sources
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Study Notes
Variable
- A variable is a characteristic, property, or factor.
- Variables can take on different values or levels in research.
- A variable can be a quality or quantity capable of bearing different values.
- Variables are often used in quantitative research.
- In a study about the effect of exercise on weight loss, exercise is a variable because the amount or type can vary.
- In a study about the effect of exercise on weight loss, weight loss is a variable because the amount of weight lost may differ from person to person.
Kinds of Variables
- Independent Variable: Researchers manipulate or control this in an experiment or study, and it causes change in other variables.
- Dependent Variable: Researchers measure or observe this to determine the outcome or the effect of the independent variable.
Independent Variable
- The independent variable is a presumed cause or factor thought to have an effect on another variable.
- Researchers intentionally change or vary the levels of the independent variable to observe its impact on the dependent variable.
- In a study on study techniques and exam scores, the independent variable could be the type of study technique, such as reading, flashcards, or group discussion.
Dependent Variable
- The dependent variable changes in response to changes in the independent variable.
- In an experiment, the dependent variable is the outcome or result researchers study.
- In the study of study techniques and exam scores, the dependent variable is the exam scores set to change based on the study technique.
Examples of Independent and Dependent Variables
- In a study about the impact of exercise intensity on weight loss in overweight individuals:
- The independent variable is exercise intensity (e.g., low, moderate, high).
- The dependent variable is weight loss (measured in pounds or percentage of body weight).
- In a study about the relationship between social media usage and self-esteem in adolescents:
- The independent variable is social media usage (measured in hours per day).
- The dependent variable is self-esteem (measured using a validated self-esteem scale).
- In a study about the effects of parental involvement on academic achievement in elementary school students:
- The independent variable is parental involvement .
- The dependent variable is the academic achievement.
- In a study about the impact of advertising strategies on sales conversion rates in e-commerce:
- The independent variable is advertising strategies.
- The dependent variable is the sales conversion rates.
Mediating/Intervening Variable
- This explains the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
- It acts as a middle factor to clarify how or why the independent variable influences the dependent variable.
- Mediating variables are assumed but cannot be measured.
- In a study on how education affects income, job skills can be a mediating variable because better education may increase skills, which leads to higher income.
- In a study on the impact of social media use on academic performance, study time might be a mediating variable, where more social media use reduces study time and lowers academic performance.
Control Variable
- A control variable is kept constant to prevent it from influencing the dependent variable and ensures the validity of the results.
- In a study on the effect of a new drug on blood pressure, age, diet, and exercise may be controlled.
- In research on how temperature affects plant growth, the type of plant, amount of water, and soil quality are controlled.
Kinds of Sources
- Primary sources: Made by intellectuals, original written works, by people who participated or witnessed the events, diaries, letters, blueprints, research papers, fieldwork, surveys, court records, and interviews.
- Secondary sources: Accounts of intellectuals analyzed by people sometime after the events happened, textbooks, films, historical essays, encyclopedia, and atlas.
- Tertiary sources: Created to categorize primary and secondary sources, index/database, and abstracts.
How to Evaluate Reliable Sources
- Check the author's qualifications, merits, and reputation.
- Check if the publisher is an established one.
- Use up-to-date material.
- Material published in a more scholarly/technical magazine/periodical is more reliable and in-depth.
- Check the manner of writing (subjective or objective) and tone.
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