Learn Before
Experimental Control
Experimental control is the fundamental process by which researchers hold extraneous variables constant throughout a study. Because extraneous factors—such as individual participant differences or situational contexts—are likely to have an unintended effect on the dependent variable, they make it difficult to separate their impact from the true effect of the manipulated independent variable. By actively controlling these outside variables and preventing them from fluctuating across conditions, researchers can isolate the independent variable and confidently attribute any changes in the dependent variable to the experimental manipulation.
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.
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Extraneous Variable
Experimental Manipulation
Within-Subjects Experiment
Between-Subjects Experiment
Pilot Test
Experimental Control
What is the primary purpose of conducting an experiment in psychological research?
A researcher surveys 200 university students and finds a strong positive relationship between the number of hours spent studying and final exam scores. Because the relationship is statistically significant, the researcher can conclude that more studying causes higher exam scores.
A researcher is conducting an experiment to determine if listening to classical music while studying causes higher test scores compared to studying in silence. Match each element of this study to its role in the experiment.
A researcher is moving beyond simply observing a relationship between two variables and wants to determine if that relationship is causal. Arrange the logical stages of an experiment to show how the design isolates a cause and supports a causal conclusion.
A researcher is tasked with constructing a new study to determine if 'viewing nature-themed videos causes a reduction in physiological stress levels.' Which of the following research designs should the researcher create to satisfy the requirements of an experiment and support a causal conclusion?
Any psychological research study that utilizes statistical analysis to support its conclusions is classified as an experiment.
A researcher claims that a specific exercise program is the reason for improved mental health, but their study did not involve an actual intervention or controlled manipulation. To evaluate the validity of this 'cause-and-effect' claim, a critic would argue that the study fails to meet the requirements of an experiment and thus cannot support _____ conclusions.
A student is categorizing different components of a research project. Match each concept related to the project's design to its correct definition based on the characteristics of an experiment.
A psychologist analyses a study's methodology and notes that while it demonstrates a relationship between two variables, it does not use a design capable of establishing causality. To successfully determine if this relationship is causal in nature, the researcher must design a(n) _____.
Evaluate the design of a psychological study to determine if it can support a causal claim. Order the steps of this evaluation from the first logical check to the final determination.
Learn After
Placebo
Random Assignment
What is the primary purpose of experimental control in a research study?
Match each component of experimental control with its specific role in a psychological experiment to demonstrate how researchers isolate causal effects.
A cognitive psychologist is studying the effect of word length on memory. To maintain experimental control, the psychologist ensures that all participants see the words on the same computer screen, at the same distance, and for the same duration of time.
A researcher is studying the effect of a new 'Focus App' on student productivity. To ensure that the app is the actual cause of any improvement, the researcher must apply experimental control. Arrange the steps of this process in the correct logical order to demonstrate how control isolates the independent variable.
The primary purpose of experimental control is to prevent extraneous variables from fluctuating across the different conditions of a study.
A researcher investigating a new study technique ensures that all participants take their practice tests in the same quiet room at the same time of day. Which statement best interprets the scientific rationale for this application of experimental control?
A researcher claims that a specific exercise program increases mental clarity, but they fail to hold the participants' daily caffeine intake constant across the different groups. Because the researcher did not maintain experimental control over this outside factor, a scientific evaluator would conclude that the researcher cannot make a valid causal _____ regarding the program's actual effect.
A cognitive psychologist is investigating how different lighting levels affect reading comprehension. Match each element of this study to the correct variable type or control function to show how the researcher isolates the causal effect.
In a study testing a new memory drug, the researcher tests the drug group in the morning and the placebo group in the afternoon. Because time of day was allowed to fluctuate across conditions, the researcher failed to maintain experimental control over this _____, making it difficult to isolate the true effect of the drug.
Arrange the steps in the logical order a researcher must follow to evaluate and establish experimental control in a study testing a new reading application.