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L1 Variables

The document defines key terms used in scientific experiments: - Variables are any factors that can change in an experiment. There are three main types - the independent variable, dependent variable, and control variable. - The independent variable is the one deliberately changed by the researcher. - The dependent variable is the one measured to see the effect of changes to the independent variable. - Control variables are kept constant to isolate the effect of the independent variable and ensure any results are due to that variable, not other influences.

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32 views

L1 Variables

The document defines key terms used in scientific experiments: - Variables are any factors that can change in an experiment. There are three main types - the independent variable, dependent variable, and control variable. - The independent variable is the one deliberately changed by the researcher. - The dependent variable is the one measured to see the effect of changes to the independent variable. - Control variables are kept constant to isolate the effect of the independent variable and ensure any results are due to that variable, not other influences.

Uploaded by

Jeraldine Manipol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Variables

Research 7
Scientists use an
experiment to search
for cause and effect.
Variables
Anything in an
experiment that
can change.

is any factor, trait,


or condition that
can exist in
differing amounts
or types.
Three Main Kinds
of Variables:
1.The change variable
2. The responding variable
3. The control variable
Independent Variable
The Change Variable:

There can only be one change


variable in any experiment.

The variable that the experimenter


changes on purpose.
Identify the change variable-what is the one
thing the experimenter changed with plant 1, 2,
and 3?
Amount of water
The experiment changed the
amount of water that the plant
receives each day.
Dependent Variable
The Responding Variable:

What is measured or observed by the


experimenter to see if the change
variable caused a different result.
How this variable
responds:
It goes faster, grows taller,
warms up more, etc.

It depends of the
change: (Independent
variable)
What could the experimenter observe or
measure to see if the amount of water made a
difference to the health of the plant?
The experimenter could have, for
example, counted the number of green
leaves on each plant on measured the
height of the plants after 14 days.
Some examples of responding
variables in different experiments-
things to be observed or measured:
The amount of water absorbed by two
different brands of paper towels.
How far a ball rolls form
different ramp angles:
Whenever possible the
experimenter should measure,
instead of just observing.
In order to measure the responding
variable, the experimenter uses tools
such as:

Metric Ruler
or Meter Stick
Balance Scale
Thermometer
To measure the
mass of To measure how hot
something or cold something is
Example of Dependent and
Independent Variables
Remember:

Independent variable is the variable


that is manipulated or changed by the
researcher, and the dependent
variable is the variable that is
measured or observed as the outcome
of the experiment.
Investigating the effect of sunlight
exposure on plant growth.
The amount of sunlight
the plants receive.
• Levels: Low sunlight,
moderate sunlight,
high sunlight.

The growth of the plants.


•Measurement: Height of the
plants, number of leaves, or
any other relevant measure
of growth.
The independent variable is the amount of
sunlight because the researcher is deliberately
varying the exposure to sunlight to observe its
effect.

The dependent variable is the plant growth


because it depends on the amount of sunlight,
and the researcher is measuring how the
plants respond to different levels of sunlight.
Investigating the effect of studying time on
exam scores.
Studying time.
Levels: 0 hours, 1
hour, 2 hours, 3
hours.

Exam scores.
Measurement: The actual
scores obtained on the exam.
Independent variable is the amount of
time spent studying because the researcher
is manipulating the studying time to see
how it influences the dependent variable.

The dependent variable is the exam scores


because it depends on the studying time,
and the researcher is measuring how well
the participants perform on the exam under
different amounts of study time.
Control Variable
 A variable or an element which is held constant
throughout an experiment or a research in
order to assess the relationship between
multiple variables.

A variable that is not changed.

Something that could be changed but is not.


https://www.voxco.com
Remember:
A researcher or a scientist aims to
understand the effect that an
independent variable has on a dependent
variable. Control variables help ensure
that the experiment results are fair,
unskewed, and not caused by your
experimental manipulation.
https://www.voxco.com
Examples of Control Variables:

Does soil quality affect plant growth?

Controlled variables

 Temperature
 Amount of light
 Amount of water
Does caffeine improve memory recall?

Controlled variables
 Participant age
 Noise in the environment
 Type of memory test
Example no.1 : Imagine a researcher is
conducting an experiment to investigate
the effect of a new fertilizer on the
growth of plants
Independent Variable:
The type of fertilizer (e.g., Fertilizer
A, B, and C).

Dependent Variable:
The growth of the plants (measured
in height or other relevant metrics).
Now, to ensure the validity of the experiment
and isolate the impact of the independent
variable (type of fertilizer), the researcher
must control certain variables that could
otherwise affect the results. These controlled
variables are known as control variables.
Example of Control Variables:

Amount of Water:
The researcher keeps the
watering schedule and the
quantity of water constant.

Watering is a potential variable


that could affect plant growth,
so by controlling it, the
researcher ensures that any
differences observed in plant
growth are more likely due to
the fertilizer and not variations
in water.
Light Exposure:

To control for this


variable, the
researcher might
place all the plants in
the same location and
ensure they receive
the same amount and
intensity of light.
Temperature:

The researcher
could control the
temperature in the
environment where
the plants are
growing to prevent
it from becoming a
confounding factor.
Example no. 2: Studying the Effect of
Background Noise on Concentration
Independent Variable:
Level of background noise (e.g.,
quiet, moderate, loud).

Dependent Variable:
Concentration level, measured
through a cognitive task.
Control Variable:

Time of Day:
To control for circadian rhythms and
potential variations in alertness
throughout the day, the researcher
ensures that all participants undergo the
concentration task at the same time.

This helps prevent the time of day from


confounding the results, allowing the
researcher to attribute any differences in
concentration to the different levels of
background noise.
In a home economics experiment, students are
baking cookies to determine the effect of different
temperatures on baking time. They bake batches
at 300°F, 350°F, and 400°F.
Independent Variable:
Temperature

Dependent Variable:
Baking time

Control Variable:
Type of cookie dough, oven used.
Mr. Johnson wants to study the relationship
between the length of a pendulum and the time it
takes for one complete swing. He tests
pendulums of different lengths.
Independent Variable:
Length of pendulum

Dependent Variable:
Time for one swing

Control Variable:
Type of pendulum, starting angle.
Extraneous Variable
https://helpfulprofessor.com/extraneous-variables-examples/
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Examples Of
Extraneous Variables
Weather:

The weather is one very


common extraneous variable
that can affect results. For
example, if you’re testing
driving skills between
different groups of people on
different days, rain on the
road will have a huge
impact.
Sleep:

If you’re testing different


groups of people’s skills, all
the groups need to have the
same amount of sleep to
minimize this extraneous
variable.
External Noise:
If two test groups are sent
to a study hall to do a
test, both groups need to
be doing the test with the
same levels of external
noise so the results aren’t
affected.
Time of Day:

If you tested one group in


the morning and one in
the afternoon, the results
may vary.
Other examples:
Researcher Bias: A study may be affected by the biases of the researchers
conducting the study.

Dietary Intake: If you’re examining cognitive performance between groups,


it’s crucial to consider their dietary intake. A group that just had a heavy
lunch might perform differently than one that’s fasting.

Caffeine Consumption: When examining alertness or reaction time, the


amount of caffeine ingested by participants can heavily influence the results.

Physical Activity: If you’re testing cognitive or physical skills, the


amount of physical activity prior to the test can act as an extraneous
variable.
Room Temperature: Extreme cold or heat can affect the
participant’s comfort and concentration, potentially affecting the
study results.

Location: Different test locations can introduce variables such as


air quality, lighting conditions, or general ambiance which can
influence results.

Age: Age can affect cognitive function, physical ability, and many
other factors, so it’s critical to ensure age doesn’t unintentionally
influence study results.

Medications: Any drugs or medications taken by the participant


can affect behavior, cognitive function, or physical responses.
https://helpfulprofessor.com/extraneous-variables-examples/
Example Scenario:

Ms. Anderson is testing the effect of different


types of soil on the growth of sunflowers. She
uses three types of soil and measures the
height of the plants after six weeks.
Independent Variable: Type of soil

Dependent Variable: Plant height

Control Variable: Amount of water,


sunlight, type of pot, etc.

(Possible) Extraneous Variable:


Temperature, humidity.
Try This! (Seatwork)
1. The class is exploring the impact of different
wing designs on the distance a paper airplane can
travel. They use four different wing designs and
measure the distance each paper airplane flies.
Students want to investigate the influence of
music on memory retention. They play different
genres of music while participants memorize a list
of words.
Answers:
1.
Independent Variable: Wing design

Dependent Variable: Distance flown

Control Variable: Type of paper,


throwing force, launch angle, etc.

(Possible) Extraneous Variable: Air


currents, humidity.
2.
Independent Variable: Type of
music

Dependent Variable: Memory


retention

Control Variable: List of words, time


of day, etc.

(Possible) Extraneous Variable:


Participant's mood, caffeine intake.

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