Question

Researchers conduct a study to measure the effect of sunlight on levels of vitamins in participants' bodies. Match each type of variable to its example in this study. Drag each item on the left to its matching item on the right - The levels of vitamin D and calcium in the participants bloodstreams are measured. - Participants are randomly assigned to eight hours, four hours, or èro hours of sunlight confound dependent variable exposure.

- Some participants eat a diet high in calcium and other participants do not, but experimenters are not intentionally manipulating their diets.
- confound
- Dependent Variable
- Independent Variable

Answer 1

In the study, the independent variable is sunlight exposure, the dependent variable is the levels of vitamin D and calcium in the blood, and the confound is participant diet variation (calcium intake).

Step-by-step explanation:

In the research study described, where the effect of sunlight on levels of vitamins in participants' bodies is being measured, the independent variable is the amount of sunlight exposure. This variable is what the researchers are manipulating, with different participants assigned to eight hours, four hours, or zero hours of sunlight exposure. The dependent variable is the levels of vitamin D and calcium in the participants' bloodstreams, as this is what is being measured and is expected to change in response to the independent variable (sunlight exposure). A confound in this study is the participants' diet, particularly the calcium intake that might impact the dependent variable but is not being directly manipulated by the researchers.

When designing experiments, it's crucial to differentiate between the independent and dependent variables and to identify possible confounds that may affect the outcome. This allows for a clearer understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship that the study is attempting to establish.