Research Methods

Sample and Variables

Now that you are following the scientific method and ensuring objectivity, you can next clearly define who and what you will study.

Click on the links to learn more, then test your knowledge:

Question 1: The participants selected for your study make up a group called the ___.

	a. sample
X	b. population
X	c. dependent variable
X	d. independent variable
	Answer: Correct. The participants selected for your study make up a group called the sample.

Question 2: The variable that you manipulate so that its effects may be observed is called the ___.

X	a. manipulated variable
X	b. causal variable
X	c. dependent variable
	d. independent variable
	Answer: Yes! The variable that you manipulate so that its effects may be observed is called the independent variable.

Question 3: Having a representative sample in your study allows you to:

X	a. come up with new questions about the larger population
	b. generalize your results to the population your sample represents
X	c. generalize your results to one age group or gender
X	d. reduce the number of times you have to test your participants
	Answer: Correct. Having a representative sample in your study allows you to generalize your results to the population your sample represents.

Next, explore methodology.