A researcher is designing an experiment intended to study the effects of the physical environment on reading comprehension. Which of the following factors would be best characterized as an independent variable in such an experiment?
A) The number of subjects participating in the experiment
B) The manner in which the researcher records observable data
C) The level of lighting in settings where test subjects are asked to read
D) The performance of subjects on reading tests administered by the researcher

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The level of lighting in settings where test subjects are asked to read would be best characterized as the independent variable in this experiment because it is the factor being manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on reading comprehension. The number of subjects and the manner of recording data are not variables being manipulated by the researcher, and the performance of subjects on reading tests is the dependent variable, as it is being measured and affected by the independent variable (in this case, lighting).

A Researcher Is Designing an Experiment Intended to Study the Effects