What does the process of manipulation in an experiment involve?

Manipulation in an experiment refers to the process by which researchers alter or control specific variables to observe the effects on an outcome. This involves identifying relevant values and creating distinct treatment conditions that participants are exposed to. By systematically changing these conditions, researchers can isolate the variable of interest and determine its impact on the dependent variable. This fundamental aspect of experimental design allows researchers to establish causal relationships, as they can assess how variations in the manipulated conditions lead to differences in outcomes.

While creating a control group and random assignment are important components of experimental design that increase the validity and reliability of the results, they do not directly define the process of manipulation. Collecting observational data is related to non-experimental research approaches, which do not involve the active manipulation of variables. Thus, identifying values and creating treatment conditions stands out as the essential definition of manipulation in the context of experimental research.