A researcher conducts an experiment in which she exposes individuals to one of three treatments that manipulate nutritional status of an individual. Individuals are fed diets that differ in calories (low-, medium-, and high-calorie diets), and the size of territories defended by individuals is recorded. Which of the following statements about this work is correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNutritional status is manipulated by the researcher and is the cause that leads to an effect (territory size), making it the independent variable. Territory size, which changes as a result of different nutritional statuses, is a derived trait because it is an outcome or characteristic that has developed in response to the nutritional status.

A Researcher Conducts an Experiment in Which She Exposes Individuals