Professor Bosch asks one group of participants to memorize a list of nonsense syllables while distracted. Another group memorizes the list without distractions. He compares number of syllables recalled between the two groups. Which of the following is NOT represented statistically in his error variance?
A) unintentional variations in experimental procedures
B) individual differences in working memory
C) differences due to being distracted or not
D) participants' evaluation apprehension

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The error variance in an experiment refers to the variability in the data that cannot be attributed to the variables being studied by the researcher. In this case, Professor Bosch is studying the effect of distractions on the ability to memorize nonsense syllables. Therefore, differences due to being distracted or not (C) are not part of the error variance; they are part of the systematic variance, as this is the main variable being manipulated and studied.

Professor Bosch Asks One Group of Participants to Memorize a List