Jasmine is a health psychologist who is interested in experimentally investigating whether massages increase psychological well-being. In her study, participants are assigned two one of two groups for a period of one-month. The independent variable in Jasmine's study is operationally defined as:
A) the number of massages one has had in their lifetime.
B) the number of massages one receives during the one-month study period.
C) the number of massages one has given in their lifetime.
D) the number of massages one gives during the one-month study period.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable in an experiment is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In Jasmine's study, the variable being manipulated is the number of massages participants receive during the one-month study period, making option B the correct answer.

Jasmine Is a Health Psychologist Who Is Interested in Experimentally