Mareta Ioane

Phil Hogan
PSY 1010-033; 11:30 a.m.
Signature Assignment #2 (Experimental Research)
Oct 29, 2015
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH (CHAPTER 2)
Experimental research conducted by psychologists have the elements of independent and
dependent variables, and experimental and control groups. Experimental is a technique for establishing
the casual relationship between variables. The best way to understand how experiments eliminate all the
differences between groups is by examining two key features: manipulation and random assignment.
Something must be manipulated to be an experiment.
There are three main steps in doing an experiment; first, the independent variable, an
experimental group, and a control group which are the first steps in an experiment. Second, the
dependent variable which is important in conjunction to the final experiment as a result. Finally, they
look to see whether their manipulation of the independent variable produced changes in the dependent
variable. Here is the explanation of these experiments:
First, the independent variable which manipulated in an experiment causes the result of the
experiment. For example, a few factors apply to the independent variable: the time you spent on
studying, what you consume daily, and daily exercise, etc. The time students spent on studying is what I
will use for an example throughout the explanation of the experiment. When manipulating an
independent variable such as the examples, we create at least two groups of participants.
The experimental group which is the group of people who are exposed to a particular
manipulation, is usually receiving the treatment through a psychological experiment. For example, the
group of students who spent long hours in studying for a test is the experimental group. A group of

Mareta Ioane

students who did not study for the test is the control group. What would be the dependent variable after
comparing the two experiments?
The control group is the group of people who are not exposed to that particular manipulation in
an experiment. A group of test subjects were not exposed to the treatment and at the end of the
experiment, the end result was compared. The example mentioned of the group of students who did not
study is the control group.
Second, the dependent variable which is measured in a study as the affect from the experiment.
The dependent variable is measured because its value depends on what the person being measured says or
does. For example, what was the result from the group of students when the experiment was done? The
group of student who studied for the test had a better score on the test compared to the group of students
who did not study.
Finally, the psychologist looks to see whether their manipulation of the independent variable
produced changes in the dependent variable. Once they have manipulated an independent variable and
measured a dependent variable, it completes two things that experimentation requires. The second thing
is a little less intuitive but equally important.
If I were to conduct my personal experiment, is an experiment group of people that work out 1
hour for 5 days with a good diet. The control group that work out for 30 minutes for only 2 days a week
with a poor diet. The dependable variable result would be totally different distinguish from each others
experiment. The experiment group with a good diet and a 1 hour workout for 5 days a week, had a better
result than the control group. The control group has no effect because of lack of good effort as described.

Mareta Ioane

Lastly, an experiment with an experimental group of people who consume only nutrition food
such as vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and grain according to the food guide pyramid. There would be
a control group of people who consume the opposite of the food guide pyramid such as red meat, sweet
food, salty food, and no greens at all.
In conjunction with their age, body weight, skin, and attitude, this experiment from independent
variables to dependent variables would result in a huge difference. The experimental group who
consumed healthy nutritious food looks healthier at their age, maintains a good weight, skin looks
healthier, and has a good impact on attitude. The control group result is the opposite such as possibilities
of looking older than your age, obese, skin problems, and possible stress.
My personal reflection on the experience in conducting this assignment is the knowledge of the
different results applied to the relevant subject regarding what is important in our life. The experiment of
eating the right food for a healthy body is one example of many different and important subjects in our
life and the world around us. I have learned a good lesson from this project in the experimental theory of
the psychologist.
In closing, I am grateful for their expertise in the area of experiments to help people understand
the importance of the end result from these different experiments. The experiment of different variables
is definitely an eye opener for me. I honestly can testify of how much I have learned from these
experiments. For example, what we consume in our body for a healthy result, helps me appreciate my
body, and I am going to work on eating healthy from here on.