GCSE Research Methods in Psychology

Which of the following descriptions best describes an Independent Variable?

• The variable that the psychologists changes

• The variable that the psychologist measures

• The variable that the psychologist must control

Which of the following descriptions best describes a Dependent Variable?

• The variable that the psychologists changes

• The variable that the psychologist measures

• The variable that the psychologist must control

Which of the following descriptions best describes an Extraneous Variable?

• The variable that the psychologists changes

• The variable that the psychologist measures

• The variable that the psychologist must control

Extraneous variables need to be​ ​ (a)   so that they don't affect the results. This will ensure that any results​ are only due to changes of the​ (b)  

• controlled
• independent variable.
• dependent variable
• ignored

'An investigation into how much people enjoy eating different shapes of pasta'. Match the appropriate variables:

• How much they enjoy the pasta

• Extraneous variable

• The shape of the pasta

• Dependent variable

• How much pasta they eat

• Independent variable

'An investigation into whether different brands of trainer help athletes to run faster'. Match the appropriate variables:

• The colour of the trainers

• Dependent variable

• How fast the athletes run

• Extraneous variable

• The brand of trainer

• Independent variable

'An investigation into whether the amount of exercise completed affects the amount of hours slept'. Match the appropriate variables:

• The type of exercise used

• Dependent variable

• Amount of exercise

• Extraneous variable

• Amount of sleep

• Independent variable

The type of hypothesis that suggests that there is NO link between the independent variable and the dependent variable is called a​ (a)   hypothesis. However, a hypothesis that suggests that there is a link between the independent variable and the dependent variable is called a​ (b)   hypothesis.

• null
• alternative

"Changing the amount of sleep you have overnight has no effect on your ability to concentrate the day after". What type of hypothesis is this?

• Null

• Alternative

"Drinking an energy drink 1 hour before a game of badminton will improve your reaction time". What type of hypothesis is this?

• Null

• Alternative