In a laboratory, smokers are asked to "drive" using a computerized driving simulator equipped with a stick shift and a gas pedal. The object is to maximize the distance covered by driving as fast as possible on a winding road while avoiding rear-end collisions. Some of the participants smoke a real cigarette immediately before climbing into the driver's seat. Others smoke a fake cigarette without nicotine. You are interested in comparing how many collisions the two groups have. In this study, the dependent variable is __________
A) the use of nicotine.
B) the use of a driving simulator.
C) the number of collisions.
D) the driving skills of each driver.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dependent variable in this study is the number of collisions, as this is the variable being measured and compared between the two groups of smokers. The use of nicotine, the driving simulator itself, and the driving skills of each driver are all independent variables or potential confounding variables in the study.

In a Laboratory, Smokers Are Asked to "Drive" Using a Computerized