2023-2025 Year 12 A-Level Psychology - Research Methods: Extraneous Variables and Controls
An Extraneous Variable is any variable other than the independent variable that could unintentionally influence the dependent variable. Researchers try to control these to ensure they don’t distort the results of an experiment.
An unwanted variable other than the IV that COULD effect the DV is known as…
An Extraneous Variable
Key Terms
An unwanted variable other than the IV that COULD effect the DV is known as…
An Extraneous Variable
An extraneous variable is another variable that is not the…
Independent Variable that could effect the DV.
What can an extraneous variable do?
Effect the DV
Having an extraneous variable in a study would lower which type of validity?
Internal validity
If I had low control in my research, why may the internal validity of my study be lowered?
Due to an extraneous variable(s)
Name an example that is a situational factors of EVs
Task Difficulty
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
An unwanted variable other than the IV that COULD effect the DV is known as… | An Extraneous Variable |
An extraneous variable is another variable that is not the… | Independent Variable that could effect the DV. |
What can an extraneous variable do? | Effect the DV |
Having an extraneous variable in a study would lower which type of validity? | Internal validity |
If I had low control in my research, why may the internal validity of my study be lowered? | Due to an extraneous variable(s) |
Name an example that is a situational factors of EVs | Task Difficulty |
Situational Factors are things to do with the … | Environment |
Give 2 examples of Participant variables that are EVs | Age Gender IQ Eyesight Hearing |
EVs to do with the environment are what type of factors? | Situational Factors |
EVs to do with the participant e.g. age or IQ is an example of what variables? | Participant Variables |
Experimenter Variables are things to do with who? | The researcher |
Give an example of an experimenter variable (keyterm) | Investigator effects e.g. tone of voice |
Tone of voice & investigator effects are examples of what type of extraneous variable? | Experimenter Variables |
When an extraneous variable is not controlled and DOES affect the DV - this is known as… | A confounding variable |
A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that has … | NOT been controlled |
What is the keyterm for participants changing natural behaviour due to clues given off by the researcher? | Demand Characteristics |
A demand characteristic is where the researcher gives off … and the participant … | Clues Changes their natural behaviour |
What 2 H’s may a participant do to the researcher due to demand characteristics? | Help // Hinder |
To control demand characteristics - who would we get? | Another researcher who does not know the aims |
Name the 2 methods of CONTROLLING bias in research | Randomisation Standardisation |
When standardising - participants will have the the … | SAME instructions//environment |
HOW could I conduct randomisation? Give 2 methods | Picking out of a hat Random computer generator |
In a study - what 2 aspects should be randomised by picking out of a hat? | Order of the task (e.g. word list) Order of conditions |
Bias & Demand characteristics are problems (extraneous variables) of experimental .. | METHODS |
Name the issue (extraneous variable) associated with independent groups design | Individual Differences |
Name the issue (extraneous variable) associated with repeated measures design | Order Effects |
Individual Differences is a potential extraneous variable of which experimental design? | Independent Groups Design |
Order Effects is a potential extraneous variable of which experimental design? | Repeated Measures Design |
Order Effects & Individual Differences both reduce which type of validity of experimental designs? | Internal Validity |
Having different participants in different conditions causes what extraneous variable in an independent groups design? | Individual Differences |
Participants taking part in all conditions may perform better or worse because of what extraneous variable associated with repeated measures design? | Order Effects |
Order Effects cause participants to become what? (Name 3) | Better Bored Fatigued |
Becoming bored, better or fatigued are what extraneous variable in a repeated measures design? | Order Effects |
Becoming bored, better or fatigued is an extraneous variable associated with which experimental design? | Repeated Measures Design |
Name the control used to reduce individual differences as an extraneous variable in an independent groups design | Random Allocation |
Name the control used to reduce order effects as an extraneous variable in repeated measures design | Counterbalancing (ABBA) |
Random Allocation is a control for what extraneous variable in what design? | Individual Differences in Independent groups design |
Counterbalancing (ABBA) is a control for what extraneous variable in what design? | Order Effects in Repeated Measures Design |
What is the 1st step of Random Allocation as a control for individual differences? | Write the names of ppt on equal sizes pieces of paper |
What is the 2nd step of Random Allocation as a control for individual differences? | Put the names on paper into a hat |
What is the 3rd step of Random Allocation as a control for individual differences? | Randomly pick out names of ppt and place half in condition 1 half in condition 2 |
When conducting random allocation, what do I put the names of ppt in once written on equal sized pieces of paper? | A hat |
What do I write on equal sized pieces of paper when conducting random allocation? | Names of ppt |
What is the purpose of counterbalancing? | To reduce order effects |
How to I reduce order effects? | Counterbalancing |
Once counterbalancing has been conducted, what happens to the order effects? | They are BALANCED OUT across conditions |
How do I minimise order effects by balancing them out across conditions? | Counterbalancing (ABBA) |
When a researcher uses counterbalancing, what is the order of conditions for the first half of participants and the order for the second half of participants | First half condition A to condition B Second half condition B to condition A |