Dr. Lasagna tests a new diet. Overweight adults are weighed and placed into one of two groups so that the weight of the groups is equal to start with. One group of adults is given the new diet and the other is placed on a waiting list. After three months, Dr. Lasagna observes that the group on the new diet weighs less. In this example, the independent variable is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the variable that is being manipulated in the experiment, which in this case is whether or not the adults receive the new diet. The other choices are not the independent variable, as the experimental group and control group are simply different groups of participants, the weight of the adults is the dependent variable being measured, and the control group is not being manipulated in any way.

Dr Lasagna Tests a New Diet