Elementary Statistics Section 1.4 Flashcards

Observational Study

The researcher merely observes what is happening or what has happened in the past and tries to draw conclusions based on these observations

Experimental Study

The researcher manipulates one of the variables and tries to determine how the manipulation influences other variables. The subjects and treatments are assigned randomly. When the subjects cannot be assigned randomly, it is called quasi-experimental

Independent Variable

The variable being manipulated by the researcher (explanatory variable) (input)

Dependent Variable

The variable that results from the manipulation (outcome variable) (output)

Treatment Group

In an experimental study, the group for which the independent variable receives manipulation is called the treatment group.

Control Group

In an experimental study, the group for which the independent variable is not manipulated is called the control group

Confounding Variable

A confounding variable is one that influences the dependent or outcome variable but was not separated from the independent variable