Question

What are the requirements for an experiment to be able to show that changes in one variable cause changes in another?

short answer

1 answer

In order for an experiment to show that changes in one variable cause changes in another, the following requirements must be met:

1. Controlled variables: All other variables, aside from the independent and dependent variables being studied, must be controlled and kept constant.

2. Random assignment: Participants must be randomly assigned to different groups to ensure that any differences observed are due to the manipulation of the independent variable.

3. Manipulation of the independent variable: The independent variable must be intentionally manipulated in order to observe the effects on the dependent variable.

4. Replication: The experiment should be able to be repeated by other researchers in order to verify the results and ensure their reliability.

5. Causal relationship: The results of the experiment should show a clear and direct relationship between the independent and dependent variables, indicating that changes in one indeed cause changes in the other.