Page 0: Page 1: What are variables?  a concept  a noun that stands for variation within a group  can be a characteristic which is compared with others  something that is being related to another Page 2: What are constants?  something which cannot be varied  an unchanging characteristic  basis of comparison  something to which another is being related Page 3: Other Variables  Quantitative Variable  Categorical Variable  Manipulated Variable  Outcome Variable  Independent Variable  Dependent Variable Page 4: Quantitative Vs Categorical  Quantitative Variable  the characteristic is measured to be existing in some degrees along a continuum from “less” to “more”  Categorical Variable  the characteristic does not vary in degree, amount or quantity Page 5: Manipulated Vs Outcome  Manipulated Variable  also called experimental variable or treatment variable  a variable that is created to study its effect on another  Outcome Variable  the result of another variable  varies for different people, different situations and different conditions Page 6: Dependent Vs Independent  Dependent Variable  the observed characteristic that is being related to another  whose value relies on another  Independent Variable  the characteristic that affects another  the characteristic that does not change Page 7: Extraneous Variable  independent variable that has an effect on other variables  variable that is not controlled so that it may render an effect on the dependent variable being observed  Examples:  maturation  IQ  gender  class schedule  family income  study habits Page 8: What are hypotheses?  a restatement of the research question  a prediction of some sort  regards the possibility of the outcome of the study  usually expressed in “null” statement  tested in a quantitative research  Null hypothesis does not assume any relationship or difference Page 9: Advantages  Hypothesis forces us to think more deeply about the possible outcomes of a study.  Restating questions as hypothesis involves a philosophy of science.  Restating research question as hypothesis helps the researcher see whether or not s/he is investigating a relationship. Page 10: Disadvantages  Restating questions as hypothesis may lead to a bias, either conscious or unconscious.  Stating hypothesis is that focusing attention on a hypothesis may prevent researchers from noticing other phenomena that might be important to study. Main Page 11: