A researcher sets up an experiment to test a new antidepressant medication. One group receives the treatment, and the other receives a placebo. The researcher then measures depression using a standardized self-report measure. What is the independent variable in this case?
A) Whether the individuals scored high or low on the depression measure
B) Whether the individuals received the treatment or a placebo
C) Whether the individuals were experiencing depression before the study began
D) Whether the individuals, depression decreased or increased during the study period

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this experiment is whether the individuals received the treatment (antidepressant medication) or a placebo. This is because it is the variable that is being manipulated by the researcher to see how it affects the dependent variable (depression scores). The other options listed are not independent variables, but rather they are either extraneous variables or the dependent variable.

A Researcher Sets Up an Experiment to Test a New