Key science skills

Independent variable

a condition that is being manipulated by the experimenter

Dependent variable

What is being measured within the study

Extraneous variable

any variable, other than the IV, that may affect the results

Controlled variable

any research that is constant in research conditions

Hypothesis

a testable prediction of the relationship between two variables, that is developed before the research is conducted

Confounding variables

Occurs when an extraneous variable exceeds in manipulating the DV

Non-standardised instructions

when standards for administering a test have not been standardised

The order effect

can cause improvements in second trials, or it could cause boredom

Experimenter effect

unwanted effects caused by the experimenter

Placebo effect

participant changes in behaviour when thought to be exposed to the IV