Control of Variables

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  • Control of Variables
    • Extraneous Variable
      • Any variable, other than IV, that may have an effect on the DV if it isn't controlled
      • EVs are nuisance variables that don't vary systematically with the IV
      • Many EVs are easy to control such as the age of ppts, lighting in the lab, etc
    • Confounding Variables
      • Any variable, other than IV, that may have affected DV so we cant be sure of the true source of changes to the DV
      • They vary systematically with the IV
    • Demand Characteristics
      • Any cue from the researcher or from research situation that may be interpreted by ppts as revealing  the purpose of investigation
      • May lead to a ppt changing their behaviour within the research situation
      • Ppts may look for clues to tell them how they should behave in the experimental situation
        • May act in a way they think is expected and over perform to please experimenter
        • Ppts could deliberately under perform to sabotage the results in the study
    • Investigator Effects
      • Any effect of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome
      • May include anything  from design of study to selection/interaction with ppts during research
      • Conscious or unconscious behaviour
    • Randomisation
      • The use of chance in order to control fro the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding order of conditions
      • An attempt to control investigator effects
    • Standardisation
      • Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all ppts in a research study

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