What is the independent variable in this scenario:
A research Psychologist is working in a federal prison and is asked to this new program. From 70 inmate volunteers, the psychologist randomly assigns 45 inmate volunteers to three groups: group A, group B, and group C.
You havent gotten to the variables yet.
Continuing...
Group A gets the life skills training for 2 days. Group B meet at the same time and they plan their own activities. Group C takes part in the prison program. At the end of 12 weeks, all three groups are assessed on their ability to solve personal and interpersonal problem by responding by writing to a number of problem scenarios presented to them.
independent variable: type of life skill program taken
So, the type of life skill program is the independent variable of this scenario? Can you please explain more as to why?
The dependent variable is assessing the effectiveness of the new life skills program in promoting problem solving skills.
Aren't the variables the same though?
An independent variable is the potential stimulus or cause, usually directly manipulated by the experimenter, so it could also be called a manipulative variable.
A dependent variable is the response or measure of results.
In order to determine the independent variable in this scenario, let's first understand the concept of an independent variable. An independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter in order to examine its effect on the dependent variable, which is the outcome being measured.
In this particular scenario, the independent variable would be the variable that the research psychologist is manipulating or controlling. From the provided information, it is mentioned that the psychologist is randomly assigning the 70 inmate volunteers to three groups: group A, group B, and group C.
Therefore, the independent variable in this scenario would be the assignment of inmate volunteers to the different groups (group A, group B, and group C). The psychologist is manipulating this variable by randomly assigning the inmates to these groups. The goal of this manipulation is likely to determine if there are any differences or effects of the program on the inmates based on the group they are assigned to.