Verifying Variables

Hi Sheila,

I, too, had to keep referring to my textbook when attempting to complete the 2 activities. Even then I had some difficulty. I am still trying to get my head around the two types of variables. Maybe you can help me. Am I correct in assuming the independent variable is the thing you are changing? By that I mean, offering breakfast to one group and not to another. So breakfast would be the independent variable. From my understanding the dependent variable is what you are measuring or what you are trying to evaluate. So if I was looking at whether or not academic achievement improves for those students who receive breakfast, the dependent variable would be academic achievement.

My section must have the talkers as I found there was lots of discussion from the beginning of this topic. Sometimes when people are unsure of something they will wait to see what others think before they feel comfortable making a statement, or in this case, post. Maybe that's what happened in your section.

I have found when reading the posts that the designs seemed to be getting clearer as the week as progressed. This is most likely due to people being able to use previous examples, as well as Dr. Cranton's comments and suggestions, to assist them in developing their own designs. Reading these has made a difference in my level of understanding as well. I found it particularly interesting that some of the best designs were the ones that were the most simple. Why is it we tend to think the more the better, when that isn't necessarily the case? I think I have a better idea of how to create a clear, more accurate Experimental/Quasi-experimental design, although I still may require some guidance.

Hope your week is going well and that some of the ideas you are uncertain about are being clarified.

"Talk" soon,
Catherine