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Variables in Psychological Research
In psychological research, a variable is any characteristic or factor that can differ or change across different individuals, situations, or over time. Variables can be broadly classified into two main types: quantitative variables, which involve numerical measurements (such as age or height), and categorical variables, which represent distinct groupings or categories (such as academic major or geographic location).
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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Research Methods in Psychology
A researcher wants to investigate the common belief that 'venting' anger by yelling or hitting a pillow is an effective way to reduce aggressive feelings. The researcher designs a study where one group of participants is provoked and then hits a punching bag, while a second provoked group sits quietly for the same amount of time. Afterward, the researcher measures the aggressive feelings of participants in both groups. Which of the following statements best analyzes why this approach is a form of psychological research?
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Match each term related to psychological research with its correct definition.
A psychology researcher is conducting a study on social media habits and records whether each participant's primary platform is 'TikTok', 'Instagram', or 'YouTube'. Which of the following correctly identifies and explains the type of variable being measured in this scenario?
A researcher is studying the effects of sleep deprivation on coordination and records the number of errors participants make while completing a motor task. In this research study, 'number of errors' is correctly classified as a categorical variable.
A developmental psychologist is deciding how to measure 'household income' to study its relationship with child vocabulary size. To ensure the highest level of statistical sensitivity, the researcher must evaluate whether to use a quantitative or categorical variable. Arrange the following steps in the logical order of this evaluative process.
In psychological research, what is the term for any characteristic or factor that can differ or change across individuals, situations, or over time?
In psychological research, the term 'variable' refers exclusively to characteristics that can be measured with numerical values.
A researcher studying sleep habits records the exact number of hours participants sleep each night. If the researcher later decides to analyze this data by splitting the participants into groups—'Sufficient Sleep' ( or more hours) and 'Insufficient Sleep' (fewer than hours)—the researcher has transformed a quantitative variable into a(n) _____ variable.