Incorrect. A hypothesis is an educated guess, not a definition.
b) operationalization
Correct. Operational definitions define terms in ways that render them measurable.
c) a single-blind study
d) an assumption
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: b, Apply What You Know, LO 1.8 Identify the steps involved in designing an experiment., (3)
APA=2.4
TB_01_140_The Scientific Approach_Apply_LO 1.8, APA 2.1, 2.4
Teachers at Southern University want to know if the arrangement of chairs affects student participation in classrooms. What would be a good way to operationalize the dependent variable in an experiment designed to measure this relationship?
a) class size: under 50 or over 50
b) number of students enrolled in each class
c) chair arrangement: theater style or circular
Incorrect. Chair arrangement is controlled by the experimenter and is, therefore, the independent variable.
d) frequency with which students ask questions
Correct. Counting the number of questions students ask is one measurable way to define the dependent variable, which is student participation.
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: d, Apply What You Know, LO 1.8 Identify the steps involved in designing an experiment., (3)
APA=2.1; 2.4
TB_01_141_The Scientific Approach_Apply_LO 1.8, APA 2.4
You are investigating the effects of exercise on weight. What are the independent and dependent variables in this experiment?
a) The dependent variable is weight; the independent variable is exercise.
Correct. The exercise is controlled by the experimenter and is, therefore, independent of anything the participants do, whereas the participants’ weight is expected to be dependent on the amount of exercise.
b) The independent variable is calories consumed; the dependent variable is diet.
c) The independent variable is weight; the dependent variable is calories consumed.
d) The dependent variable is amount of exercise; the independent variable is calories consumed.
Incorrect. The exercise is controlled by the experimenter and is, therefore, the independent variable.
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: a, Apply What You Know, LO 1.8 Identify the steps involved in designing an experiment., (2)
APA=2.4
TB_01_142_The Scientific Approach_Apply_LO 1.8, APA 2.1, 2.4
In order to increase typing speed, Minisoft has redesigned its keyboard and provided a chime that is related to typing speed. The company wants to know if its innovations affect typing speed. Identify the independent and dependent variables in this proposed study.
a) The dependent variable is the chime; the independent variables are the chime and typing speed.
b) The dependent variable is speed of typing; the independent variables are the keyboard design and the
chime.
Correct. The speed of typing is expected to be dependent on the keyboard design and chime, which are independent variables controlled by the experimenter.
c) The dependent variable is keyboard design; the independent variables are the speed of typing and the
chime.
Incorrect. Both the keyboard design and the chime are independent variables controlled by Minisoft.
d) The dependent variable is the number of errors made; the independent variables are the chime and the
speed of typing.
Topic: The Scientific Approach
ANS: b, , Apply What You Know, LO 1.8 Identify the steps involved in designing an experiment., (3)
APA=2.1; 2.4
TB_01_143_The Scientific Approach_Remember_LO 1.8, APA 2.4
A variable that the experimenter manipulates is called a(n) ________.