In the following example, what is the independent variable? Hypothesis: Mice on a restricted low-caloric diet will live longer than mice that can eat as much as they want.
Experiment: A large population of genetically identical mice is divided into two groups. Half receive as much food as they care to eat each day. The other half receives 20% less food than a typical mouse eats each day. The day of death (lifespan) is recorded for all mice. All mice live in the same room, in the same type of cage, with access to water.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the amount of food available, as it is being manipulated by providing two different amounts to the two groups of mice. The dependent variable is the lifespan of each mouse, which is being measured as the outcome of the experiment. The other options (B, C, and D) are not relevant to the independent variable being tested in this experiment.

In the Following Example, What Is the Independent Variable? Hypothesis