PSYC 1020H Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Central Tendency, Frequency Distribution, Standard Deviation
13 Nov 2017
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Document Summary
Understanding a phenomenon and exerting control over it. Operational definition - describes the actions that will be used to control a variable. Select a research method and design the study. Statistics are used to analyze data and to decide if a hypothesis has been supported. Scientific approach requires clarity in hypotheses, resulting in enhanced communication. Experiment - when an investigator manipulates a variable under controlled conditions to see whether changes occur in a second variable as a result. Independent variable - condition the experimenter varies to determine its effects on a dependent variable. Dependent variable - variable thought to be affected by the independent variable. Extraneous variable - any variables other than the independent that seem likely. Extraneous variable - any variables other than the independent that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a study. Confounding of variables - when 2 variables are linked together in a way that makes it difficult to sort out their specific effects.
