Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An experimental procedure refers to a systematic and controlled approach used by researchers to manipulate variables and observe the effects in order to test hypotheses or answer research questions.
A control group is the group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or manipulation being studied. It serves as a baseline against which the experimental group can be compared.
The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment. It is what researchers believe will have an effect on the dependent variable.
The dependent variable is the variable that is measured or observed in an experiment. It is expected to change as a result of manipulating the independent variable.