Extraneous variables may influence the dependent variable. In what ways do researchers attempt to control external variables?
The extraneous variable refers to undesirable elements in research that are not intended in a given study thus having the ability to influence the dependent variables. The external variables can affect and change the outcome results of an investigation, which is a factor that influences the reliability and appropriateness of different results in a review. The extraneous variables are a form of the independent variables in research and may include aspects such as noise, temperature, personalities, and other physical and changing factors that are not directly related with the study and experiments undertaken within different forms of research (Bernerth, Cole, Taylor, & Walker, 2018). The extraneous variables are subjected to change in different environments thus affecting the outcome of research. To capitalize on overcoming the external variables to promote the reliability of results in a study, the researcher should implement measures that attempt to control the variables and increase the validity and reliability of findings that are obtained within a given study.
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According to Bernerth & Aguinis (2016), extraneous variables present a significant challenge to the internal and external validity of findings within a given experiment, which therefore calls for the implementation of different methods to control the effects of the variables. The first approach undertaken by the researcher to control the extraneous variables entails the randomization of the experiments. Using this approach, the researcher ensures that the tests are conducted within experimental groups using standardized procedures. The method in this creates a situation where the conditions for all participants are similar, and the extraneous variables are presented equally in all the groups. The implementation of the mentioned approach by the researcher ensures that the external variables do not influence the nature of results obtained from the study and the participants are not affected by the variables while undertaking the research.
The next important measure that could be undertaken by a researcher to control extraneous variable is the use of statistical control to limit the effect on results and findings of an experiment. The implementation of statistical power using proper statistical tools and techniques play an essential role in reducing the impact of extraneous factors in the undertaken experiments. According to Rosenberg (2017), the use of statistical tools and techniques may help the researcher to concentrate on the dependent variables, which are the critical elements in the research. In this case, the statistical controls help in increasing the validity of findings from a given test or experiment by controlling the influence of the extraneous variables. The third important approach that may be undertaken by the researcher to control the external variables entails focusing on keeping the environment as natural as possible. A natural environment helps in ensuring that the participants are not influenced by external variables thus increasing the validity of findings in an experiment.
Lastly, the researcher should focus on creating a matching approach, which helps in creating a match between different confounding variables. This may include matching participants with similar characteristics such as age, gender, income among other factors to limit the extraneous variables that may exist within different confounding variables. The implementation of appropriate measures and approaches for controlling the external variables require the researcher to differentiate the various type of extraneous variables (Becker, Atinc, Breaugh, Carlson, Edwards, & Spector, 2016). The researcher is required to distinguish between participant variables, researcher variables, and situational variables to implement a control measure that is appropriate for controlling the influence of research in an experiment.
References
Becker, T. E., Atinc, G., Breaugh, J. A., Carlson, K. D., Edwards, J. R., & Spector, P. E. (2016). Statistical control in correlational studies: 10 essential recommendations for organizational researchers. Journal of Organizational Behavior , 37 (2), 157-167.
Bernerth, J. B., & Aguinis, H. (2016). A critical review and best ‐ practice recommendations for control variable usage. Personnel Psychology , 69 (1), 229-283.
Bernerth, J. B., Cole, M. S., Taylor, E. C., & Walker, H. J. (2018). Control variables in leadership research: A qualitative and quantitative review. Journal of Management , 44 (1), 131-160.
Rosenberg, M. (2017). Extraneous variables. Research Design: The Logic of Social Inquiry , 263.
