Answer:

Selecting a Dependent Variable

The selection of a dependent variable is not in the least a casual matter. Indeed, it is immensely important.

It reflects our underlying assumption that the study of behavior is the doorway toward measuring

psychological states. Moreover, it is the measure we use to ascertain whether the independent variable has

an effect.

Generally, we choose a dependent measure because we judge that it will reveal unobservable but

inferable processes that affect it and other behavioral measures. We often assume that our dependent

variable reflects some underlying psychological state. For example, emotional processes are often inferred

from changes in heart rate, respiration, or sweat gland activity. We might infer stress from ulceration or

from adrenal activity. The process of learning is inferred from the elimination of errors, correct

anticipation of words, and conditioned responses.

There must be no ambiguity concerning the identification of the dependent variable. Its occurrence

or nonoccurrence must be ascertainable according to clearly defined criteria. For example, the dependent.

Variables of Interest

When researchers are manipulating an environmental condition to determine its effect on behavior, they

use special terms that help describe these activities. A variable is any condition that can vary or change in

quantity or quality. The independent variable, or treatment, is under the control of and administered by

the experimenter. The behavior that is potentially affected by the treatment and that we measure is called

the dependent variable. The dependent variable is always a measure of behavior that we record after first

manipulating the independent variable. It is referred to as dependent because changes in it depend on the

effects of the independent variable. If a systematic relationship is found between the independent and

dependent variables, then we have established an empirical or causal relationship. It is also sometimes

called a functional relationship because changes in the dependent variable are a function of values

After you have reviewed the relevant literature and have a research question, you are prepared to be more

specific. You want to make one or more predictions for your study. Such a prediction is called a

hypothesis. It is an educated guess regarding what should happen in a particular situation under certain

conditions. Not all studies require that you test a hypothesis; some may simply involve collecting

information regarding an issue. For those that do have a hypothesis, the hypothesis should derive logically

from previous findings or the predictions of a particular theory. Hypotheses should not be based simply

on what the student believes should happen. A clear rationale is necessary?

Others undertake studies to resolve inconsistencies or contradictory findings. If some research

indicated that sleep following learning aids memory (which it does) and other research found that sleep

hinders memory (which it doesn’t), then the findings would be contradictory. If so, then little could be

said regarding sleep and memory without additional research. The additional research would be directed

to resolving the inconsistent findings. .

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