The type of study that is used in an experiment of exercise on arousal is the between subjects design, whereby the subjects were divided into two groups and exposed to different conditions. The study analyses changes in individuals over time, most especially temporary effects (Roberts & Ilardi, 2008). Subjects of the study were randomly assigned into the exercise or no exercise condition. The exercise condition sought to prove the hypothesis that exercise causes arousal in male and female adults. Therefore, this was the most suitable design for this experiment.
Independent Variable
An independent variable is the factor affecting the experiment on different levels. It is also referred to as the classification variable in which the experiment relies on (Knight, 2010). In this study, the independent variables were age, sex and time. Age was used to determine how effects of exercise on arousal varies between adults of different ages. Sex was used to determine the effects of exercise on arousal on both male and female participants. Time analyzed the periods of exercise that cause arousal.
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Dependent Variable
A dependent variable is a measurable variable which is influenced by the independent variable. This variable is measured at different times in the experiment and it operates differently on other variables (Knight, 2010). In this study, the dependent variables were mood and exercise, whereby arousal was either induced or dissuaded by exercise.
Control Group
A control group is a group that displays preexisting conditions prior to the experiment (Roberts & Ilardi, 2008). This group is used for comparison to the effects of the experiment. The control group in this case would be the subjects assigned to the no-exercise condition.
Experimental Group
The experimental group is the one that is exposed to experimental manipulation (Roberts & Ilardi, 2008). The experiment is based on results from this group. The experimental group for this study was the group assigned to the exercise conditions.
Null Hypothesis
The null hypothesis is the existing claim based on previous studies. This hypothesis is discredited by the current study as an analysis is conducted on the remaining possible outcomes (Mohareb, 2012). The null hypothesis in this study was that longer periods of exercise have varied effects on arousal on male and female adults.
Experimental Hypothesis
This hypothesis is the claim that the current study seeks to prove as it is the aim of the experiment. The hypothesis establishes a statistically significant relationship between the variables (Mohareb, 2012). For this experiment, the experimental hypothesis was that exercises induced arousal in adults.
References
Knight, L. K. (2010). Study/Experimental/Research Design: Much More Than Statistics. Journal of Athletic Training, 45 (1) , 98-100.
Mohareb, R.M. (2012). Conducting Scientific Research: Research Hypothesis and Null Hypothesis. Organic Chemistry Current Research ,1:e105.
Roberts, M. & Ilardi, S. (2008). Handbook of Research Methods in Clinical Psychology. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.
