Identify the independent variable in the following hypothesis: "Cancer patients who receive music therapy complain less frequently of pain and require less pain medication than cancer patients not receiving music therapy."
A) Complaints of pain
B) Incidence of cancer
C) Music therapy
D) Pain medication use

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An independent variable is a stimulus or activity that is manipulated or varied by the researcher to create an effect on the dependent variable. In this example, music therapy is the "treatment" that is being used to manipulate frequency of pain and amount of required pain medication, a stimulus or activity that is varied by the researcher.
The number of pain complaints would be a dependent variable. An independent variable is a stimulus or activity that is manipulated or varied by the researcher to create an effect on the dependent variable. In this example, music therapy is the "treatment" that is being used to manipulate frequency of pain and amount of required pain medication, a stimulus or activity that is varied by the researcher.
The incidence of cancer is a criterion for inclusion in the study. In this example, music therapy is the "treatment" that is being used to manipulate frequency of pain and amount of required pain medication, a stimulus or activity that is varied by the researcher.
Pain medication use is a dependent variable. An independent variable is a stimulus or activity that is manipulated or varied by the researcher to create an effect on the dependent variable. In this example, music therapy is the "treatment" that is being used to manipulate frequency of pain and amount of required pain medication, a stimulus or activity that is varied by the researcher.

Identify the Independent Variable in the Following Hypothesis: "Cancer Patients