A medical doctor believes that the presence of aromatherapy candles will reduce the anxiety of first-time mothers-to-be during labor and will increase their reported satisfaction with their care at his hospital. He randomly assigns mothers to give birth in a room either with or without aromatherapy candles. What is the independent variable in this example?
A) anxiety level during labor
B) number of previous birthing experiences
C) room environment
D) satisfaction with hospital care

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable in this example is the room environment, specifically whether or not aromatherapy candles are present. The doctor is manipulating this variable to see if it has an effect on the mothers' anxiety levels during labor and their satisfaction with hospital care. The other options (anxiety level during labor, number of previous birthing experiences, satisfaction with hospital care) are potential dependent variables that may be affected by the presence or absence of the aromatherapy candles.

A Medical Doctor Believes That the Presence of Aromatherapy Candles