Experimental Method Worksheet

What does the experimental method concern?

• The manipulation of a dependent variable to have an effect on the independent variable

• The manipulation of an independent variable (IV) to have an effect on the dependent variable (DV), which is measured and stated in results

• The measurement of variables without manipulation

• The observation of natural phenomena only

Fill in the blank: An aim is a general statement made by the researcher which tells us what they plan on investigating, the ______ of their study.

• purpose

• duration

• location

• method

Which of the following best defines a hypothesis?

• A general statement about the study

• A precise statement which clearly states the relationship between the variables being investigated

• A summary of previous research

• A list of variables

A directional hypothesis states:

• The direction of the relationship that will be shown between the variables

• No relationship between variables

• Only the variables being measured

• The aim of the study

Fill in the blank: The independent variable refers to the aspect of the experiment which has been ______ by the researcher or simply changes naturally to have an effect on the DV which is then measured.

• manipulated

• observed

• measured

• recorded

Which of the following is the dependent variable?

• The aspect of the study which is measured by the researcher and has been caused by a change to the IV

• The variable that is manipulated by the researcher

• The aim of the study

• The operationalisation of variables

Operationalisation refers to:

• Clearly defining the variables in terms of how they are being measured

• Manipulating the dependent variable

• Stating the aim of the study

• Measuring only the independent variable

What is the only aspect that should affect the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

• The independent variable (IV)

• The sample size

• The control group

• The data analysis method

An extraneous variable refers to any other variable which is not the IV that affects the DV and does not vary systematically with the IV.

• True

• False

Which of the following is an example of an extraneous variable?

• The time of day the experiment is done

• The lighting in the lab

• The age of participants

• All of the above