In my experiment, I recruited undergraduate women from the Indiana Biology Resea

Question

In my experiment, I recruited undergraduate women from the Indiana Biology Research Group pool. I brought them into my lab and I tested the ability of my participants to remember words presented on a computer screen with purple, black, and red backgrounds. Everyone was tested in the same room at the same time of day. My data supported the claim that purple backgrounds lead to better memory in undergraduates for presented information.

1A.What is the dependent variable in this experiment?

1B.What is the independent variable in this experiment and what are the levels?

2A) What are the 3 potential confounds that I controlled for (so held constant)?
2B) What kind of validity does this help?

3A) What kind of validity is obviously lacking in this experiment?
3B) How could this be fixed?

Explanation / Answer

1A. Independent variable - The background color on which the words are presented.

Levels - Purple, Black and Red Backgrounds.

1B. Dependent Variable - Memory of the participants as measured.

2A. The participants were tested in the same room, and at the same time of day.

2B. Internal validity, as it helps to show that the result of the experiment is due to the independent variables and not affected by confounds.

3A. External Validity is lacking as the participant are from biology research group pool, and this sample is not representative of all populations. Thus, the results cannot be generalized.

3B. It can be fixed by taking a more diverse population, in this case the sample can be taken from the general population.

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