A couple of issues

A couple of issues that have come up in late NABs, prelims etc:

1. Conditions of the IV. Don't get this mixed up with extraneous variables. An IV has two or more values. For example with a memory test, the IV could be sitting it with or without music as a distraction. When participants are then tested, there are two experimental 'conditions'. So the two 'conditions of the IV' in this example would be 1) Memory test with music and 2) memory test without music.


2. Effects of stress. People tend to produce good examples of physical effects, but neglect mental health effects e.g. irritable, unable to sleep, anger, memory loss, paranoia. Long term: greater liklihood of developing major psychological disorder e.g. depression, anorexia.


3. Random sampling - this means that everyone in the population has the same chance of being chosen. A list of names and random numbers can be used, or with a small sample, pulling names from a hat is also random. Picking people off the street or corridor is not random, as you will get a biased sample, with certain people more likely to be chosen. Take these toy soldiers for example: