Objective 7: Construct an experiment from a given hypothesis and identify the independent and dependent variables

In my research project for Advanced Biology, I was asked to construct and carry out an experiment that has to deal with something biological. I chose to replicate an experiment based on the hypothesis that a moderate amount of aerobic exercise has on memory retention. A hypothesis is a testable prediction. I will be able to test my prediction by observing the change in memory between a control and experimental group, and how that effects of aerobic exercise, or no exercise, has on our ability to retain information. The definition of experiment is a research method which an investigator, me, manipulates one or more factors independent variables! by comparing it to a constant, control group! and observing the effects. "y experimental group, or group that will be receiving the treatment, or exercising, will be compared with the control group, which does not receive treatment. By random assignment, or randomly choosing the participants, I can hope to eliminate other factors. The point of an experiment is to isolate independent variables, experimental factors whose effect is being studied. In my experiment, the independent variable will be the aerobic exercise. It is the independent variable because we can vary it #independently$ from other factors like age, height, or weight. By manipulating the independent variable, we measure its effect by observing the dependent variable, the outcome factor. It is called the dependent variable because it #depends$ on how the independent variable. It changes in response to various manipulations. "y dependent

variable and measureable effect is the subject%s ability to retain information after being subjected to a moderate amount of aerobic exercise. To carry out this experiment, I will have both the experimental and control group attempt to memori&e '( common words, like desk, chair, etc. )iven ( seconds per card, I will then add another '( common words to create a pool. To test their memory retention, I will observe how many original cards they remember. The experimental group however, will be asked to perform a moderate amount of exercise before hand. I will then attempt to measure the effects of exercise versus the control group, which will be sedentary. I hope to see some correlation between exercise and increased memory retention.

Psychology Tenth Edition In Modules I used our textbook as a source for definitions and for #outlines$ of various examples*reflections that I created to show my understanding of independent*dependent variables.

I also used my research project for Advanced Biology for examples of independent*dependent variables and how they work in experiments.