Question 1

What is the difference between the independent variable and the dependent variable in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the factor the researcher manipulates, while the dependent variable is the outcome that is measured to see if it changed as a result.

Question 2

What is the purpose of random assignment in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment distributes participants into experimental and control groups by chance, minimizing pre-existing differences between groups so that results can be attributed to the independent variable.

Question 3

What is a confounding variable?

Accepted Answer

A confounding variable is an uncontrolled factor other than the independent variable that may influence the dependent variable, threatening the internal validity of the experiment.

Question 4

What is the difference between a single-blind and a double-blind experiment?

Accepted Answer

In a single-blind experiment, participants do not know which condition they are in; in a double-blind experiment, neither the participants nor the researchers interacting with them know who is in which condition, reducing both participant and researcher bias.

Question 5

What is the placebo effect?

Accepted Answer

The placebo effect occurs when participants experience real changes in their behavior or condition simply because they believe they are receiving a treatment, even though they received an inert substance or sham procedure.

AP Psychology: Research Methods

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