DHS Chapter 4 Vocab

Antecedent variable

A variable that occurs or exists before another variable in a cause-and-effect relationship.

Causal relationship

When one thing directly causes another to happen.

Concept

An idea or a general understanding of something.

Control variable

A factor kept constant or unchanged in an experiment to ensure that any observed effects are due to the tested variable, not other factors.

Dependent variable

The factor that you measure or observe in an experiment.

Extraneous variable

A factor that is not the main focus of an experiment but could still affect the results.

Independent variable

The factor you change or control in an experiment to see how it affects the dependent variable.

Intervening variable

A variable that comes between the independent and dependent variables and helps explain the relationship between them. It acts as a mediator.

Qualitative research question

A question that seeks to understand and explore experiences, meanings, or perceptions, often using non-numerical data like interviews or observations.

Quantitative research question

A question that seeks to measure or quantify variables, often using numbers and statistical analysis to identify patterns or relationships.

Research design

The overall plan or structure of a research study that outlines how data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted.

Spurious relationship

A false or misleading relationship between two variables that is caused by a third variable, making it seem like one causes the other when it doesn't.

Statistical significance

A measure that shows whether a result is likely to be true or if it happened by chance. If something is statistically significant, it means the result is probably not random.

Units of analysis

The objects or entities being studied in research, such as individuals, groups, organizations, or countries.

Variable

Any characteristic, factor, or condition that can change or vary in an experiment or study, such as age, income, or temperature.