A researcher uses the following hypothesis in a study: "Excessive listening to alternative music will lead to increased depression in young teenagers." Which kind of variable is "listening"?
A) Complex
B) Continuous
C) Dependent
D) Extraneous

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Although "listening" could be a discrete variable, depending on how it is measured, all other choices can be eliminated as wrong. Excessive listening is the independent variable. It is not complex because it is only one concept. Listening is a central or integral concept in the study and therefore not extraneous. Because "listening" is more than likely measured by time, a continuous variable, this answer is correct.
There are only two variables in the study, so it is a simple hypothesis, and complex does not describe variables used, but the number of variables noted in the hypothesis.
The dependent variable in this study is degree of depression, which is dependent on or affected by the listening to alternative music.
The amount of listening to alternative music is an integral part of the study, so it is not an extraneous variable.

A Researcher Uses the Following Hypothesis in a Study: "Excessive