PSYC 2030 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Dependent And Independent Variables, Internal Validity, Confounding
15 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Thse attempt systematically to manipulate theoretically relevant variables and to examine the effect of these manipulations on outcomes variables. Experiments are attempts to change some aspect of a persons situation or mental state which is both of interest to research (aspects that are theoretically relevant) and capable of being altered (aspect that is a variable) Experimenters attempt to make some change to the world and then monitor the impact of that change. Dependent variable is measured after the manipulation to the independent variable occurred. Internal validity- the extent to which the effect of the independent variable on a dependent variable has been correctly interpreted. Experimental control- the process of holding a particular variable constant across different conditions of an experiment so they have no impact on the results. Extraneous variable- a variable that clouds the interpretation of results. Participants are not randomly assigned to conditions on one or more variables.
