How to explain controlled variables
Summary
TLDRIn this video, an IB psychologist explains the concept of controlled variables in experiments. A controlled variable is something kept constant across both conditions of an experiment to isolate the independent variable's effect. The video emphasizes the importance of controlling variables such as time of day, environment, and materials used, to ensure that differences in results are due to the independent variable alone. The psychologist advises explaining what the controlled variables are, how they were controlled, and why they were controlled to achieve a top-notch explanation.
Takeaways
- đ A controlled variable is one that you keep constant in both conditions of your experiment to isolate the independent variable as the only factor affecting the results.
- â Example: To determine if coffee increases energy, you must control other variables like whether or not you do yoga on the same day.
- đ Controlled variables might include the time of day you conduct the experiment, as this can affect results if not consistent.
- đ The environment where the experiment is conducted should be consistent, such as doing both tests in rooms with similar lighting and size.
- đ Materials used in the experiment should be consistent, like ensuring word lists in a memory test are of similar length and difficulty.
- đ€ If the materials are your independent variable, then the differences in materials are intentional and not controlled.
- đ„ Controlled variables can also relate to the participants, which will be explained in a future video.
- đ Itâs recommended to find two variables that you keep constant in both conditions and explain them clearly.
- đ Use the structure of âwhat, how, and whyâ to explain your controlled variables in the experiment for a thorough explanation.
- đ Providing a detailed explanation of controlled variables is crucial for achieving top marks in your experiment write-up.
Q & A
What is a controlled variable?
-A controlled variable is a variable that is kept constant in both conditions of an experiment to isolate the independent variable as the only factor affecting the results.
Why is it important to control variables in an experiment?
-Controlling variables is important because it ensures that the independent variable is the only factor influencing the outcome, allowing for more accurate conclusions about cause and effect.
Can you give an example of an experiment that demonstrates the importance of controlled variables?
-An example is testing if drinking coffee gives more energy. If one day includes yoga and the other doesn't, then yoga is an uncontrolled variable that could affect the results.
What are some examples of controlled variables in an experiment?
-Examples include the time of day the experiment is conducted, the environment (e.g., room size and lighting), and the materials used (e.g., word lists with similar difficulty).
How can the time of day be a controlled variable in an experiment?
-If one group is tested in the morning and another in the afternoon, differences in results could be due to time of day, making it an extraneous variable. Keeping the testing time consistent controls this variable.
Why is it important to control the environment in an experiment?
-The environment, such as lighting and room size, can influence participants' performance or responses, so it must be controlled to ensure it doesn't affect the results.
How can materials be a controlled variable in an experiment?
-If using two different word lists, they should be similar in difficulty and familiarity unless the word list is the independent variable being tested.
What is the 'what, how, why' method for explaining controlled variables?
-The 'what, how, why' method involves identifying what the controlled variables are, explaining how they are controlled, and describing why controlling them is important for the experiment.
Why might participant-related variables need to be controlled?
-Participant-related variables such as age, gender, and prior knowledge can affect experimental outcomes, so controlling them helps ensure consistent results across different participants.
How can researchers show they have controlled other variables in an experiment?
-Researchers can mention other controlled variables in the experimental setup by referring to specific sections, such as 'see materials' or 'see participants,' to provide more details.
Outlines
đĄ Introduction to Controlled Variables
This paragraph introduces the concept of controlled variables, emphasizing that they must be kept constant in all conditions of an experiment. This allows researchers to isolate the independent variable as the primary factor influencing the results. The speaker prepares to explain controlled variables with an example experiment.
â Example: Does Coffee Affect Energy?
Using the example of an experiment testing whether coffee improves energy levels, the speaker explains how controlled variables impact results. On one day, the speaker drinks coffee and feels energized, but they also did yoga, which could affect the outcome. The next day, they only drink water, but without yoga. This highlights the importance of keeping conditions consistent, such as whether yoga is part of the routine, to ensure valid conclusions about coffeeâs impact.
đ Key Controlled Variables in Experiments
The speaker discusses several key controlled variables that should be considered in an experiment. Factors such as the time of day, environment, and materials used must be consistent. For example, conducting one test in the morning and another in the afternoon, or using different rooms with varied lighting conditions, could introduce unwanted variables that impact results.
đ Consistency in Materials and Repeated Measures
When using repeated measures, the speaker highlights the importance of maintaining consistency in materials, such as word lists in memory experiments. Different lengths or types of words between groups could skew results. If materials are manipulated as part of the independent variable, it must be clear in the study design. Otherwise, they should remain constant.
đ„ Participant-Related Controlled Variables
The speaker hints at another important aspect of controlling variables related to participants. They suggest that controlled variables associated with participant selection and characteristics will be explained in a follow-up video. Ensuring uniformity in participant-related factors is essential for minimizing bias in experiments.
â Conclusion: Structuring Your Explanation
To conclude, the speaker offers advice on how to effectively explain controlled variables in an experiment. They suggest focusing on three main points: what the controlled variables are, how they were controlled, and why they were controlled. This clear structure will lead to a strong explanation and help secure top marks in assessments.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄControlled Variables
đĄIndependent Variable
đĄDependent Variable
đĄExperiment
đĄYoga
đĄRanking
đĄExtraneous Variables
đĄEnvironment
đĄMaterials
đĄRepeated Measures
đĄParticipants
Highlights
A controlled variable is one that remains constant in all conditions of an experiment.
The purpose of controlling variables is to isolate the independent variable's effect on the results.
Example given: Comparing energy levels after drinking coffee versus water to control for the effect of caffeine.
The importance of controlling for extraneous variables such as yoga to ensure the experiment's validity.
Ensuring identical conditions in an experiment except for the manipulated independent variable.
Controlled variables may include the time of day for conducting the experiment.
Environmental factors like room size and lighting can be controlled variables.
Materials used in an experiment, such as word lists, should be consistent unless being manipulated.
The concept of repeated measures and the need for consistency in materials.
Participants' related variables are also important controlled variables in an experiment.
Advice on explaining controlled variables by detailing what, how, and why they were controlled.
Link to a blog for further examples on explaining controlled variables.
The recommendation to find two variables to keep constant for a strong experimental design.
The suggestion to use italics for additional controlled variables not the main focus.
Emphasizing the three steps of explaining controlled variables: what, how, and why.
The promise of achieving top marks by following the advice on explaining controlled variables.
A closing note of encouragement and good luck for the viewer's endeavors.
Transcripts
g'day ib psychologist a real quick video
here
how to explain your controlled variables
a controlled variable
is a variable that you keep constant in
both conditions of your experiment
so you can isolate the independent
variable as the only factor
affecting your results let me give an
example let's say i want to figure out
does drinking coffee give me more energy
in the day
right one morning i wake up do some yoga
drink some coffee
go on through my day end of the day give
myself a ranking how do i feel
nine out of ten next day wake up drink
some water
go through the day i feel seven out of
ten i'm like hey look at that
right coffee i felt better nine out of
ten but actually
on one day i did yoga the other day i
didn't so
that was uh i didn't control that
variable right so i want to make sure
that
both of my conditions uh in the
experiment are identical
the only difference is what i'm
manipulating
so the controlled variables in your
study are probably going to be things
like
the time of day in which you do the
experiment imagine if you did it on one
group in the morning and the other group
in the afternoon one group before lunch
the other group
after lunch right this could be an
extraneous variable
or the environment you do one in a dark
room or a big room and then
another group you do it in a smaller
room or a lighter room that could be a
factor
maybe the materials you use so think if
you are doing uh if you've got two
separate word lists
right so maybe you're doing a um
repeated measures but you've got to have
so you've got to have two different
lists
you don't have one list of words with
really long words and the other one very
short ones or
unique random words and familiar words
so if you've got repeated measures
you want to make sure that the materials
are the same
unless of course you're manipulating the
materials and that's your independent
variable that's
a different story now your controlled
variables are also going to be things
related to your participants and i'll
explain that in the next video how you
can explain
your choice of participants but if you
explain these three things and i'll link
a description in my blog where i've got
an example of of how to explain your
controlled variables
but if you explain these and then you
still want to show hey look i also
control these other variables
in other aspects of the exploration you
know maybe just in italics you can write
something like
c materials for more controlled
variables or c participants for more
controlled variables
but i would definitely recommend trying
to find two variables that you keep
constant in both conditions
and explain now remember my advice is
what how why what were the controlled
variables
how did you control them and most
importantly why
go through those three steps then you
have a really good explanation for this
and you can get top marks all right i
hope that was helpful good luck
Weitere Àhnliche Videos ansehen
TYPES OF VARIABLES: INDEPENDENT, DEPENDENT, CONTROLLED SCIENCE 7 QUARTER 1 MODULE1 WEEK 1
Controlled Experiments - Overview and content Vocabulary
Scientific Variables
Causal Research Design / Marketing Research #7
UGC NET Paper 1: Most Scoring Topics | Types of Variables | Based on Latest Syllabus
Regression and R-Squared (2.2)
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)