A researcher plans to conduct an experiment to test whether a cup of hot milk at night helps people fall asleep faster than usual. In this study, the independent variable is:
A) the amount of time it takes participants to fall asleep.
B) the consumption of hot milk at bedtime.
C) the number of participants drinking hot milk at bedtime.
D) the number of hours each participant sleeps for.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable in a study is the variable that is deliberately manipulated or changed by the researcher. In this case, the researcher is manipulating the consumption of hot milk at bedtime, making it the independent variable. Therefore, B is the correct choice. A, C, and D are not the independent variables, as they are either not being deliberately manipulated by the researcher or they are not relevant to the specific manipulation of interest (in this case, drinking hot milk at bedtime).

A Researcher Plans to Conduct an Experiment to Test Whether