ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with an example that illustrates the rudiments of experimental design. Before researchers proceed with an experiment, they usually have conceptual definitions of the variables to be studied; for example, anxiety, aggression, intelligence, or loneliness. But to do credible research, which not only communicates effectively with one’s audience but also allows other scientists to replicate one’s work, researchers must operationally define these concepts by specifying precisely what they mean by the terms they use. In experimental psychology, the dependent variable often takes the form of direct answers to an experimenter’s questions. These dependent responses have been part of experimental psychology for a very long time and continue to be of use today. An experimenter-selected, independent variable is considered a subject variable; one that is inherent to the person, identity, personality, or thinking patterns of an individual and cannot be assigned.
