Question

A researcher is interested in understanding how stress influences cognition (the ability to think and reason). She recruits participants from a group of theater majors at her university. She then assigns participants to one of two groups: group 1 engages in a stressful task in which they have to prepare and deliver a speech in front of a group of strangers, and group 2 engages in a non-stressful task, in which they watch a short video clip about baking. She then measures the participant’s cognition by having them complete a moderately difficult crossword puzzle.
What is the dependent variable?

a. Number of people
b. The Theater Majors
c. Stress task vs. no stress task
d. Crossword Puzzle Performance

Answer 1

Answer:

c. Stress task vs. no stress task

Explanation:

From the above statement, the dependent variable is "Stress task vs. no stress task". This is actually what is being assessed by the reseacher.

Dependent variable is actually what is being tested, measured or evaluated. The dependent variable usually depends on the independent variable. Also, it usually depends on other factors which are being measured too.