Question

In his study, Dr. Poldark is manipulating the situation each participant experiences (stressful or not), and he is measuring their ability to manage their stress and complete a difficult task. His measure of someone's performance on this task is called the _________ variable.

a) Dependent
b) Independent
c) Control
d) Extraneous

Answer 1

The measure of performance in Dr. Poldark's study is the dependent variable as it is the outcome that the researcher measures after manipulating the independent variable, which is the stress level.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of Dr. Poldark's study on stress and task completion, the term for the measure of someone's performance on a task would be the dependent variable. This is because the dependent variable is what the researcher measures to see the effect of the independent variable, which in this case is the manipulation of the stress level. It's important to note that the independent variable is controlled or manipulated by the experimenter to observe changes or effects on the dependent variable.

Experimental studies rely on a clear distinction between these two types of variables for the methodology to be considered valid. The independent variable is the condition or factor adjusted by the researcher, and the dependent variable is the outcome that is tested and measured. In other scenarios, like quasi-experimental designs, the independent variable cannot be manipulated, but it is observed for its natural impact on the dependent variable.

In Dr. Poldark's study, no mention is made of a control or placebo, which would serve to maintain objectivity and limit expectancy bias. The final answer, in a two-line explanation with less than 300 words: The variable measuring performance in Dr. Poldark's study is the dependent variable because it depends on the independent variable, which is the stress level manipulated by the researcher.