PSY220 Experimental Design

Question

Research question: does engaging in meditation before a test decrease levels? 

Hypothesis: Individuals who engage in meditation before a test will have decreased stress levels than individuals who do not.

a.      What is your independent variable and how do you conceptually define it (i.e., your scientific definition)?

b.      What is your dependent variable and how do you conceptually define it (i.e., your scientific definition)?

Answer 1

Independent variable = What the experimenter changed, manipulated, or tested during the experiment. A good experiment will test ONE factor and keep everything else constant. In this case, the experimenter is testing: students who meditate before a test versus students who do not meditate before a test. To remember this, I often think the Independent variable is what "I" change.

Dependent variable = The data gathered and measured by the experimenter. In this case, the experimenter is measuring: stress levels (before?, during?, after?) a test. To remember this, I often think the Dependent variable is the Data collected after the trial is complete.

Special considerations: A good experiment needs to be tested more than once. It would be a good idea to have a group of students meditate before a test (experimental group) and another group of students do nothing before the same test (control group). Using groups of people helps to reduce error or bias and increases the reliability of the experiment. This experimenter will need to think about how they quantify "stress." This could be in the form of a cortisol sample, heart rate analysis, questionnaire (less reliable), etc.