In a laboratory, smokers are asked to "drive" using a computerized driving simulator equipped with a stick shift and a gas pedal. The object is to maximize the distance covered by driving as fast as possible on a winding road while avoiding rear-end collisions. Some of the participants smoke a real cigarette immediately before climbing into the driver's seat. Others smoke a fake cigarette without nicotine. You are interested in comparing how many collisions the two groups have. In this study, the independent variable is the __________.
A) use of nicotine
B) use of a driving simulator
C) number of collisions
D) driving skills of each driver

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the factor that is being manipulated in order to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In this study, the researchers are manipulating the use of nicotine (real cigarette vs. fake cigarette) in order to observe its effect on the number of collisions (dependent variable) in the driving simulator. Therefore, the correct answer is A) use of nicotine. The use of a driving simulator, number of collisions, and driving skills of each driver are all additional variables being measured or observed, but they are not being purposely manipulated by the researchers.

In a Laboratory, Smokers Are Asked to "Drive" Using a Computerized