Professor Caine is running an experiment to determine if exercise affects memory retention. Two groups of participants are given the same list of 25 words and allowed 15 minutes to study them. Then one group sits idly in a classroom while the other participates in an hour-long aerobic work-out. After the work-out each group is tested in the classroom on the list of words. What is the independent variable in this study?
A) the aerobic work-out
B) the word list
C) scores on the test
D) time allowed to study

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated or tested in the experiment, which in this case is the aerobic work-out. The other variables (word list, scores on the test, time allowed to study) are controlled variables.

Professor Caine Is Running an Experiment to Determine If Exercise