A research team is investigating the impact of stereotypes on performance. In one group, women read an article about why the structure of men's brains makes them better at math. In the second group, women read an article saying there are no biological differences in the mathematical abilities of men and women. Then all women in the study take a challenging math test. Researchers time the test and score the number of items women answered correctly. In this study, which of the following is the independent variable?
A) Women's scores on the math test
B) Women's beliefs about their math abilities
C) Which article the women read
D) How long it takes women to complete the math test

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated or changed in the study, in this case, the type of article that the women read. The researchers are interested in how the different articles (with different information about gender and math ability) impact women's performance on a math test. Therefore, the independent variable is which article the women read. Women's scores on the math test are the dependent variable, as they depend on the type of article the women read. Women's beliefs about their math abilities and how long it takes them to complete the math test are not mentioned as being manipulated or changed by the researchers, so they are not the independent variable.

A Research Team Is Investigating the Impact of Stereotypes on Performance