Learn Before
Based on the concept of extraneous variables, diagnose why the room temperature and lawnmower noise are classified as extraneous variables in this study, and explain how these fluctuating factors affect the researcher's ability to detect the true effect of the cognitive training exercise.
Case context: A psychologist is conducting a laboratory experiment to determine whether a new cognitive training exercise (independent variable) improves working memory capacity (dependent variable) compared to a control task. During the testing sessions, the researcher notices that the room temperature fluctuates randomly between 68°F and 82°F depending on the time of day, and that occasional lawnmower noise can be heard from outside. These environmental factors vary randomly and affect participants in both the training and control groups.
Question: Based on the concept of extraneous variables, diagnose why the room temperature and lawnmower noise are classified as extraneous variables in this study, and explain how these fluctuating factors affect the researcher's ability to detect the true effect of the cognitive training exercise.
Sample answer: The room temperature and lawnmower noise are extraneous variables because they are factors that vary within the context of the study other than the specific independent variable (the training exercise) and the dependent variable (working memory capacity). These fluctuating environmental factors affect the researcher's ability to detect the true effect by adding noise to the data and introducing competing influences. This makes it difficult to separate the actual effect of the cognitive training exercise from the random influences of temperature and noise on the participants' memory performance.
Key points:
- Identify the temperature and noise as factors that vary other than the independent and dependent variables.
- State that these factors are likely to influence the dependent variable (working memory performance).
- Explain that these fluctuations add noise or competing influences to the experimental context.
- Explain that this noise makes it harder to isolate the true effect of the cognitive training exercise.
Rubric: The response must correctly identify the room temperature and lawnmower noise as extraneous variables because they vary but are not the independent or dependent variables. It must also explain that these factors introduce competing influences or noise, which makes it difficult to separate and detect the true effect of the independent variable.
0
1
Tags
KPU
Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
Related
Participant Variable
Situational Variable
Task Variable
Experimental Control
Experimenter's Sex as an Extraneous Variable
Standardizing the Procedure
Experimenter Expectancy Effect
Example of Extraneous Variables: Expressive Writing Experiment
Confounding Variable
Internal Validity
In the context of an experiment, what is an extraneous variable?
In a study examining whether caffeine improves focus, the amount of sleep a participant had the night before would be considered an extraneous variable if it varies between participants and could potentially influence the results.
In psychological research, factors other than the primary ones being studied can often influence the results. Match each research study with the specific factor that would act as an extraneous variable in that scenario.
A researcher conducts a study to see if 'Bright Lighting' (the factor being tested) improves 'Reading Speed' (the performance being measured). However, the group in the bright light reads an interesting novel, while the group in the dim light reads a technical manual. Arrange the following statements to represent the logical sequence of how this extraneous variable (Topic Interest) creates ambiguity in the study's results.
True or False: In experimental research, an extraneous variable is defined as any factor that varies within the context of a study other than the specific variables being investigated.
In an experiment, why does the presence of an extraneous variable that varies within the study make it difficult to draw clear conclusions about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables?
When a researcher evaluates the validity of a claim that one factor caused a change in another, they must determine if any additional factors fluctuated during the study. A factor that varies in the context of the study other than the ones being specifically investigated is known as a(n) _____ variable; its presence requires the researcher to judge the study's conclusions as inconclusive because the true cause of the results cannot be isolated.
A researcher is conducting an experiment to see if a new mnemonic strategy improves memory recall. Match each element of this research study to its correct classification.
A researcher designs an experiment to measure the effect of cell phone use on reaction times. If the participants' age varies throughout the study and potentially affects reaction times, the researcher must recognize age as a/an _____ variable because it is a factor other than the independent and dependent variables that could introduce competing influences.
Order the steps a researcher should take to evaluate and manage potential threats to internal validity from factors outside the primary hypothesis.
Define the term 'extraneous variable' in the context of experimental research. In your definition, explain the primary challenge that fluctuating extraneous variables present to researchers who are trying to evaluate the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable.
Based on the concept of extraneous variables, diagnose why the room temperature and lawnmower noise are classified as extraneous variables in this study, and explain how these fluctuating factors affect the researcher's ability to detect the true effect of the cognitive training exercise.
A researcher is conducting an experiment to evaluate the effect of a new distraction-free interface on task completion speed. However, the researcher realizes that the brightness of the computer monitors fluctuates across different testing stations. Apply the concept of experimental control to manage this monitor brightness extraneous variable, and explain how this application improves the study's design.