Question

You are interested in the effect of room temperature on how well students do at memorizing a list of unrelated words. You randomly assign half of the student participants to a cool room and half to a warm room. You then give each group the list of words. After showing them the list, you have them write down as many words as they can remember (a free-recall task). What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable?

Answer 1

This is an experimental research design where randomization has been used to form two groups. Therefore, this is a two group randomized experimental design to assess the effect of room temperature on learning.

The independent variable is the one which is manipulated by the researcher and its effect of this manipulation is seen on the dependent variable. The independent variable in the given study is thus, room temperature and the dependent variable is learning.