Data Set 1-5: . Alex believed that family size affects a person's anxiety level, so he asked 66 undergraduate participants to list each blood relative they had a clear memory of. (The mean was 38.) Using these data, he classified students as having few, average, or many relatives. Participants also filled out the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, which yields scores that range from 0 to 20.
-The independent variable in Alex's experiment
A) is scores on the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale
B) is family size
C) varies from 0 to 20
D) is 38.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable in an experiment is the variable that is manipulated or classified by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In this case, Alex classified students based on their family size (few, average, or many relatives) to see how it affects their anxiety levels, measured by scores on the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale.