Correlation Quote by Mark R. Leary
““fact that participants in different conditions receive different levels of the independent variable, all participants in the various experimental conditions should be treated in precisely the same way. The only thing that may differ between the conditions is the independent variable. Only when this is so can we conclude that changes in the dependent variable were caused by manipulation of the independent variable.””
About This Quote
Experimental validity requires identical treatment of participants across groups, differing only in the independent variable, to attribute effects correctly.
In simple terms: Treat all participants the same except for the variable being tested.
Key Takeaway
Control all factors except the one you test.
Themes
research methodology
experimental design
causality
control
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
academic
technical
When to use this quote
- lab experiments
- field studies
- clinical trials
- psychology research
Key Concepts
statistics
scientific method
validity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure true equivalence across groups?
- What hidden factors might influence outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Uncontrolled variables can still bias results.
![“In the real world of research, conventional tests of [statistical] significance seem almost worthless.” quote by Fischer Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a4/fischer-black-60662_conventional_in-the-real-world-of-research-convention_163947.jpg)
