Question

To investigate a possible relationship between two factors, such as acidity and solubility, you must first identify the variables involved in the experiment. Identify the independent variable, the dependent variable, and any possible confounding variables within this experiment.

Answer 1

Independent variables cause an effect in another variable (acidity, pH). Dependent variables respond on any change in the independent one (solubility). Confusing variables can influence the results if not controlled (temperature, pressure, surface contact).

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Before conducting an experiment, first, the researcher needs to identify the study groups –experimental and control groups- and the variables involved.

• Independent (manipulated) variable: Refers to all the variables in an experiment that provoke a response in another variable. The researcher changes it on purpose to observe the response of the dependent variable.

• Dependent variable: Refers to the variable, which response depends on any change in the independent variable. The response might be proportional or inversely proportional to the change in the manipulated variable.

Usually, many factors influence or affect the response of the dependent variables. Most of them are not of interest to the researcher.

• Confusing variables or confusing factors are closely related to both the dependent and the independent variables, but they are not of interest in themselves. These factors might  mask the actual effects of the independent variables on the dependent one, causing miss interpretations of the results.  

The researcher needs to identify all possible confusing variables and keep them constant.

• Controlled variables are kept constant in the control groups and the experimental groups. Unlike the independent variable, the controlled variables do not influence the results. These variables do not affect the response of the dependent variable.

For instance. You want to study the relationship between solubility and acidity.

• The independent variable is acidity, which is one of the factors that affect solubility.
• Solubility is the dependent variable, which responds to the acidity of the solvent.

But solubility also depends on many other factors, such as surface contact, temperature, pressure, and agitation. They are not of interest in this study, but if you do not get to control them, you will not be able to discriminate the effects of pH from the effects of all these factors.

These are confusing factors, and you need to keep them constant in all your study groups. Only then you will see the real effects of pH on solubility.

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