Question

A study was conducted to investigate the role of framing on concern for healthy eating. Each participant (N = 100) was randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the first condition, the participants read an article indicating that obesity is a disease. Participants in the second condition read an article indicating that obesity is the result of personal behaviors and decisions. Participants were then asked to indicate how important it would be for them to eat a healthy diet. Scores ranged from 1 (not very important) to 9 (very important).

1) What makes the study experimental rather than correlational? (6 points)

2) Define the independent variable. (2 points)

3) Operationally define the dependent variable (2 points)

Answer 1

1. The study is experimental rather than co-relational because associations among naturally occurring variables, is not found but the researcher introduces a change and then monitors its effect. Further, this study tries to find causation hence it cannot be correlational.

2. The independent variable in this study is reading an article indicating that obesity is a disease and read an article indicating that obesity is the result of personal behaviors and decisions.

3. The dependent variable, in this case, is scores of participants rating how important it would be for them to eat a healthy diet.