Research Variables Quiz

Understanding Dependent and Independent Variables in Research

• Dependent variable, usually referred to as "Y", is placed on the left-hand-side of the equation.
• Dependent variable may be called the "Y" variable and is usually on the y-axis in graphs.
• Example of a dependent variable: student's test scores influenced by factors like study time, sleep, and stress levels.
• Independent variable is controlled or manipulated by the researcher in a study.
• Independent variable can also be called the explanatory, predictor, right-hand-side, or X variable.
• Independent variables are often referred to as "X" in basic algebraic equations and plotted using the x-axis.
• Examples of independent variables in research: age, temperature, traffic, and coffee consumption.
• Examples of dependent variables in research: plant growth, mood, walking speed, test scores, and hunger levels.
• Confounding variables, also known as "third variables," can influence the dependent variable and cause issues in a study.
• Extraneous variables, such as demand characteristics, experimenter effect, and situational variables, can weaken the relationship between independent and dependent variables in a research experiment.
• Confounding variables can lead to misattribution of results, while extraneous variables can affect the predicted or observed relationship between variables.
• Validity refers to the closeness of results between repeated experiments and is crucial for ensuring the relationship observed between variables is real.