Experimental Research Questions
In experimental research, there are three main types of variables: independent variables, dependent variables, and control variables.
1. Independent variables: These are the variables that the researcher manipulates or changes in order to observe their effect on the dependent variable. They are also known as the cause or treatment variable. For example, in a study on the impact of political campaign advertisements on voter behavior, the independent variable could be the type of advertisement shown to participants (positive, negative, or neutral).
2. Dependent variables: These are the variables that are measured or observed to determine the effect of the independent variable. They are also known as the outcome or effect variable. In the aforementioned study, the dependent variable could be the participants' voting intention or their perception of the candidate's credibility.
3. Control variables: These are the variables that are held constant or controlled by the researcher to minimize their potential influence on the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Control variables help ensure that any observed effects are due to the independent variable and not other factors. In the political campaign advertisement study, control variables could include participants' age, gender, political affiliation, or previous voting behavior, as these factors may also influence their voting intention or perception of the candidate.
It is important to carefully identify and control for these variables in experimental research to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables.