The independent variable has a direct effect on the dependent variable.Įxtraneous variables – it is an extra event or factor that influences the outcome of an experiment but does not take an important part in the experiment. Independent variables (IV) – The events of conditions that can be manipulated or changed in an experiment. As the independent variables are manipulated, the dependent variables will also vary.

There are mainly six types of experimental variables:ĭependent variables (DV) –These are the type of variables that are measured or observed. Psychologists study three different modes of observation: a natural observation that is very systematic by the development of psychological tests, an experimental method where independent variables are manipulated and the dependent variables are measured based upon the independent variable and statistical methods to test the differences obtained and to compute the correlations between the variables. Psychological research is conducted to understand the subjective meaning of the events that happen in a particular condition and display their behavior and experiences. Scientific research has the following main steps: creating a problem, collection of the data, analysis of the data, drawing up conclusions, and researching upon these conclusions. Variable is an event or stimulus that takes up different values (i.e., it varies) and that can be measured. The cause in the experiment is the variable that is being manipulated while the effect is the variable that is changed because of the manipulation of effect.

Experiments are conducted to form a cause-effect relationship between two sets of variables while present in a controlled environment.

Scientific experiments variables