In a study, Amanda examined the number of proofreading errors made when students are tested while reading in a cold room or a warm room. What is the independent variable of the study? What is the dependent variable of the study? Which is the experimental group, and which is the control group?

Independent variable: temperature of room; dependent variable: proofreading errors made; experimental group: students; control group: Amanda

Is this correct?

indep: temperature

dep: errors found
expergroup: students
control: none

The group designations would depend on your hypothesis. If you hypothesize that COLD would increase/decrease errors, then the students in the cold group would be the experimental group and those in the warm group would be the control. If the hypothesis was for the warmth, the designations would be reversed.

No, your answer is incorrect. Let me explain.

The independent variable is the factor that the researcher manipulates or controls in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In this study, the independent variable is the temperature of the room. Amanda is not the independent variable; she is the researcher conducting the study.

The dependent variable is the variable that is measured or observed to determine the effect of the independent variable. In this case, the dependent variable is the number of proofreading errors made by the students.

The experimental group is the group that is exposed to the experimental condition, which is the cold room or the warm room in this case. The control group, on the other hand, serves as a baseline for comparison and does not receive any special treatment or exposure to the independent variable.

Therefore, in this study:
- Independent variable: Temperature of the room
- Dependent variable: Number of proofreading errors made
- Experimental group: Students tested in either the cold room or the warm room
- Control group: Students who are not exposed to any specific temperature condition and may be tested in a room with a moderate or neutral temperature.

Remember, it's important to correctly identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and the groups involved to accurately understand the design and purpose of an experiment.