Question

A drug company is conducting research of their new drug CSJ to improve the note-taking behavior of college students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Fifty of the students receive capsules containing CSJ, and another fifty receive capsules that look the same but actually contain the drug Ritalin, which has been used for many years. All students attend the same series of lectures and have their notes collected afterward. Their notes are scored for completeness and accuracy.

a) What is the independent variable in this study?
b) What is the dependent variable in this study?
c) What is the experimental group in this study?
d) What is the control group in this study?

Answer 1

In this experimental study, the independent variable is the type of drug (CSJ or Ritalin), and the dependent variable is the completeness and accuracy of the students' notes. The experimental group consists of students taking CSJ, while the control group includes students taking Ritalin.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the study of a new drug, CSJ, which aims to improve note-taking behavior in college students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), we identify the following:

• The independent variable is the type of drug administered (CSJ or Ritalin).
• The dependent variable is the completeness and accuracy of the students' notes.
• The experimental group is the fifty students who receive the CSJ capsules.
• The control group is the fifty students who receive the Ritalin capsules.

An experimental study defines the independent variable as the element that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher, which influences the dependent variable. The latter is what the researcher measures to see how much effect the independent variable had. In this particular study, the experimental group is receiving the new drug, whereas the control group receives a standard treatment, in this case, Ritalin. The difference in note-taking performance between these two groups can be attributed to the independent variable, assuming all other factors are kept constant.