Question

2. For each of the following research projects, please indicate the independent and dependent variable and then specify the levels of the independent variable.

a) You want to know how different types of stress influence exam taking. You have 30 statistics students. Ten take their final exams after running on a treadmill for 15 minutes (physical stress), 10 after being told that they were doing poorly in the class (emotional stress), and 10 after listening to soothing music. You compare the final exam scores of each group.

b) You want to know how color influences taste perception. Each group of participants is given colored “tea,” which is all actually just colored plain water. One group has cups with red fluid, a second group has brown fluid, and the third group has orange fluid. The participants are to describe the flavor of each tea and rate how well they liked each tea.

c) You want to know if music can influence heart rate. Some participants sit in a quiet room, others hear loud, heavy, metal music, while others hear soothing classical music, and another group hears upbeat pop music. All participants have their heart rate checked after five minutes.

Answer 1

a)

Independent variable: type of stress

Dependent variable: Test taking

Levels of the independent variable:

1. physical stress,

2. emotional stress and

3. no stress (soothing music).

b)

Independent variable: color

Dependent variable: taste perception

Levels of the independent variable:

1. red fluid,

2. brown fluid and

3. orange fluid.

c)

Independent variable: music

Dependent variable: heart rate

Levels of the independent variable:

1. No music (quiet room),

2. loud, heavy, metal music,

3. soothing classical music and

4. upbeat pop music.