Question

Part II: Within-Subjects Design

In the within-subjects design, researchers were interested in whether participants could lower their cholesterol levels by changing from a diet higher in trans fats to one with no trans fats. Ten research participants were selected. A baseline measure of cholesterol was taken from each. They were then put on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and devoid of trans fats for one month. At the end of that month, blood cholesterol was again measured and the following results were obtained:

Participant	Blood Cholesterol	Diet
1	129	Baseline
1	98	Healthy
2	150	Baseline
2	75	Healthy
3	175	Baseline
3	135	Healthy
4	115	Baseline
4	103	Healthy
5	156	Baseline
5	143	Healthy
6	500	Baseline
6	450	Healthy
7	468	Baseline
7	350	Healthy
8	198	Baseline
8	213	Healthy
9	225	Baseline
9	175	Healthy
10	560	Baseline
10	481	Healthy

In 2 to 3 sentences in a Microsoft Word document, answer the following questions:

• What is the independent variable in this study?
• What are the levels of that independent variable?
• What is the dependent variable?

Answer 1

What is the independent variable in this study?

Since researchers were interested in whether participants could lower their cholesterol levels by changing from a diet, the independent variable in this study is Diet.

What are the levels of that independent variable?

The levels of the independent variable Diet are Baseline and Healthy.

What is the dependent variable?

Since researchers were interested in whether participants could lower their cholesterol levels by changing from a diet, the dependent variable is blood cholesterol level.