Terms for Research/Projects Senior Project 04/05

Variables Independent Variable-experimental or treatment variable (it is the cause) what we are studying what we are studying the stimuli or what we are manipulating in our study the stimuli or what we are manipulating in our study Dependent Variable-is what is measured to assess the effects of the independent variable it is thought to be dependant on the independent variable it is thought to be dependant on the independent variable

Treatment (Independent Variable) This is what is being done or already been done to a sample or population to induce change This is what is being done or already been done to a sample or population to induce change This may be initiated by the researcher or simply observed This may be initiated by the researcher or simply observed There may be multiple treatments or a single treatment There may be multiple treatments or a single treatment Treatment may change over the course of time to accommodate the experiment or project Treatment may change over the course of time to accommodate the experiment or project

Training Puppies IndependentVariables training method training method types of dogs types of dogs frequency of training frequency of training length of training length of trainingDependentVariables behavior of dog behavior of dog response to commands response to commands quality of performance quality of performance

The Effects of War IndependentVariables death of spouse death of spouse experiencing the front line experiencing the front line loss of male population loss of male populationDependentVariables suicide rate suicide rate criminal activity later in life criminal activity later in life decrease in marriage decrease in marriage

Raising Money for Orphans IndependentVariables fund raising dinner fund raising dinner big sister-big brother contacts big sister-big brother contacts families adopting kids for Christmas families adopting kids for ChristmasDependentVariables increased funds increased funds number of role models number of role models kids have a Christmas kids have a Christmas

Learning to Play the Piano IndependentVariables type of lessons type of lessons frequencies of lessons frequencies of lessonsDependentVariables level of performance level of performance difficulty of pieces played difficulty of pieces played

Parameters-elements that remain unchanged (You will set parameters to make your project manageable) Only use Lab puppies Only use Lab puppies Only use three training methods Only use three training methods Only study World War I Only study World War I Study males between the years old Study males between the years old Give to the same orphanage Give to the same orphanage Hold one benefit brunch Hold one benefit brunch Learn classical music Learn classical music Put on two concerts Put on two concerts

Limitations Delimitations (Guidelines)-choices the experimenter makes to affect a workable project Delimitations (Guidelines)-choices the experimenter makes to affect a workable project Limitations-the conditions or influences that either cannot be controlled or are the results of the delimitations imposed. Limitations-the conditions or influences that either cannot be controlled or are the results of the delimitations imposed. Limitations are beyond the control of the researcher and may place restrictions on the study Limitations are beyond the control of the researcher and may place restrictions on the study

Training Puppies Delimitations Use only border collies Use only border collies Use only female dogs Use only female dogs Train once a week Train once a week Use only positive reinforcements Use only positive reinforcementsLimitations May not translate to other dog types May not translate to other dog types May not work on males May not work on males More or less training may differ More or less training may differ May not work on other species May not work on other species

Sampling Terms Population-inclusive group defined by researcher Population-inclusive group defined by researcher Sample-representative subset of population Sample-representative subset of population may be taken randomly or stratified may be taken randomly or stratified may consist of many, few, or one subject may consist of many, few, or one subject

Effects of O.J. on Blood Pressure Population Males above the age of 60 Males above the age of 60 Black overweight males between Black overweight males between 50-55Sample 100 men randomly selected from Louisville 100 men randomly selected from Louisville 25 black overweight men between from 5 counties in Northern Kentucky 25 black overweight men between from 5 counties in Northern Kentucky

Learning to Sculpt Population Male teenagers of age 17 Male teenagers of age 17 Female teenagers of age 18 with an I.Q. above 130 Female teenagers of age 18 with an I.Q. above 130Sample You You

Subjects and Subjects Rights Right to privacy or non-participation Right to privacy or non-participation Do not ask unnecessary information Do not ask unnecessary information Should get adults consent or parents of minors consent Should get adults consent or parents of minors consent Right to remain anonymous-researchers should explain study focus on group data Right to remain anonymous-researchers should explain study focus on group data Right to expect experimental responsibility Right to expect experimental responsibility Researcher will be ethical and sensitive to dignity Researcher will be ethical and sensitive to dignity Subjects must be notified of research or debriefed immediately after Subjects must be notified of research or debriefed immediately after Informed consent-a fair explanation of procedures to follow Informed consent-a fair explanation of procedures to follow