Independent vs. Dependent Variable Practice

Does the type of gasoline put in a car affect how fast the car can drive. What is the independent variable?

• Type of gasoline

• which car the gas is put into

• how fast the car can drive

• how much gas is put into the car

Tiffany was investing how fast it took Hayden to react to different sounds. Identify the independent variable.

• How fast Hayden reacted
• different sounds
• types of music
• Hayden

Mr. S normally uses praise as a reward to train his dog. He wants to know the best way to train his dog, so he sets up an experiment to find out if there is a better way to get his dog to respond to commands. What is his dependent variable?

• Type of reward
• Praise
• Type of dog
• Amount of time the dog follows commands

The measurable factor in an experiment is known as the: 

• Control
• Independent Variable
• Constant
• Dependent Variable

 A comprehension test was given to students after they had studied textbook material either in silence or with the television turned on. What is the dependent variable?

• silence
• television turned on
• score on test
• textbook material

Individuals will respond more to a person in uniform than to a person not in uniform. What is the independent variable?

• individuals

• person in uniform

• response to uniform

• none of these work

Molly investigated if the age of students caused them to be better drivers. What is the dependent variable?

• Type of car
• Skill of driving
• Age of student

Sam wanted to know if the color of the chair you sat in when taking a test affected your test grade. What is the independent variable.

• Color or chair
• Grade on test
• Age of students

Robert wanted to know if the type of phone you used gave you better or worse service. What is the independent variable. 

• Location of phone call
• Type of phone
• How good the service was

This is a method of research where an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable).

• Experiments
• Case Study
• Survey
• Observational
• Correlational