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Questions and Answers
What is the root word of 'variable'?
What is the root word of 'variable'?
vary
What does Bernard (1994) define a variable as?
What does Bernard (1994) define a variable as?
Something that can take more than one value.
What are the two categories of variables mentioned?
What are the two categories of variables mentioned?
Independent and dependent variables.
A variable that influences or affects another variable is called a ________ variable.
A variable that influences or affects another variable is called a ________ variable.
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What kind of variable is an independent variable that already exists?
What kind of variable is an independent variable that already exists?
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What is a manipulated variable?
What is a manipulated variable?
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What is a confounding variable?
What is a confounding variable?
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Higher ice cream consumption causes sunburn.
Higher ice cream consumption causes sunburn.
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What does it mean for a variable to be extraneous?
What does it mean for a variable to be extraneous?
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Study Notes
Definition and Nature of Variables
- Originates from the word "VARY," indicating the capacity to change or differ.
- Defined as characteristics or attributes that can be measured and vary among individuals or organizations.
- Variables represent changing qualities involved in a research study.
Types of Variables
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Independent Variable (IV):
- The variable manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on other variables.
- Represents the cause in a cause-and-effect relationship.
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Dependent Variable (DV):
- The variable that may change due to the manipulation of the IV.
- Depicts the effect in a cause-and-effect relationship.
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Manipulated Variable:
- Another name for the experimental or treatment variable; it is altered by the researcher.
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Selected Variable:
- An existing independent variable that is chosen for analysis in a study.
Extraneous and Confounding Variables
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Extraneous Variables:
- Factors that may unintentionally affect the outcome of the study but are not the focus of research.
- Examples include age, gender, or personality traits that could influence relationships between main variables.
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Confounding Variables:
- Specific extraneous variables that directly influence the relationship between IV and DV.
- Can lead to misleading results if not controlled; for instance, temperature might increase both ice cream consumption and sun exposure.
Importance in Research
- Understanding variables is crucial for establishing causal relationships and accurate interpretations of data.
- Holding constant certain variables (controlled variables) ensures they do not bias results in a study, focusing solely on the relationship between IV and DV.
- Examples of controlled variables might include soil quality, light amount, and water amount in a study on plant growth.
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Description
This quiz explores the definition and nature of variables in research, focusing on independent and dependent variables, as well as manipulated, selected, extraneous, and confounding variables. Understand how these concepts play a crucial role in research design and interpretation.
