Question

A researcher would like to evaluate the claim that large doses of vitamin C can help prevent the common cold. One group of participants is given a large dose of the vitamin (500 mg per day), and a second group is given a placebo (sugar pill). The researcher records the number of colds each individual experiences during the 3-month winter season. a. Identify the dependent variable for this study.b. Is the dependent variable discrete or continuous?c. What scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, or interval/ratio) is used to measure the dependent variable?d. What is the independent variable?e. What research method is being used (experimental or correlational?

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) the dependent variable here are the Participants.

(b) the dependent variable is discrete.

(c) The scale measurement of measurement used is interval/ratio to measure the dependent variable.

(d) the independent variable is Vitamin C

(e) The research method being used is experimental.

Step-by-step explanation:

The dependent variable (sometimes known as the responding variable) is what is being studied and measured in the experiment.

Examples of continuous dependent variable may include costs, profits and sales.But some dependent variables are discrete – that is, they take on a relatively small number of integer values.

Interval scale and ratio scale are the two variable measurement scales where they define the attributes of the variables quantitatively.A ratio scale is a measurement scale which has more or less all the properties of an interval scale. Ratio data on this scale has measurable intervals.

Experimental research is a study that strictly adheres to a scientific research design. It includes a hypothesis, a variable that can be manipulated by the researcher, and variables that can be measured, calculated and compared.

Answer 2

Answer: 1. The dependent variable is the common cold.

2. It is a discrete variable.

3. The interval/ratio scale.

4. The independent value is the large doses of Vitamin C administered.

5. The research method used is Experimental.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The dependent variable is the factor that we are trying to understand. In this case, it is the common cold and how it is affected by large doses of vitamins.

2. A discrete value is computed by counting. So the dependent variable - the common cold was computed by counting the number of occurrences.

3. The Interval/ratio scale is used because both the order of measurement and the differences between them are observed.

4. The Independent variable is the control in the experiment which can be compared to changes in the dependent variable. The large doses of vitamin C affects the common cold.

5. Correlational research observes patterns in variables that occur naturally while Experimental research introduces a change and monitors its effect. The research is Experimental because a change in the form of the placebo is introduced and observed.