A variable is a factor that can be changed either by the researcher or by the course of the experiment. It is essential to a good experiment to focus on one variable at a time. The independent variable is one that is changed by the researcher. The dependent variable changes as a result of that change. Consider the following experiment at a make-believe dog food company:
Sure Good dog food is trying to determine what kind of powdered animal protein is most appealing to dogs. They coat pieces of kibble formula A with:
Equal portions of the treated kibble are set in front of four golden retrievers. The time it takes for the dogs to consume the entire portion is recorded.
Questions:
What is the independent variable?
What is the dependent variable?
Will the data be quantitative or qualitative?
What is the best consideration when choosing the dogs for the experiment?
Answer (i) As given in the question, an independent variable is the one that is altered by the researcher. Hence, as per the stated situation in this case an independent variable is the amount of powdered food that would be consumed by the dogs under observation.
Answer (ii) As given in the question, a dependent variable is the one that is altered later as per the results and conclusion of the experiment. Hence, as per the stated situation, in this case, the dependent variable is the time taken by the dogs under consideration to consume the powdered food.
Answer (iii) The data analysis and type of research can be classified as qualitative and quantitative. A quantitative research is the one which includes measurable or countable data. For example, height, weight, size. On the other hand, a quantitaive research is the one which analyzes data which cannot be measured or counted. It is the information about the qualities. For example, softness of the material, the kindness of a person. Hence, as per the stated situation, in this case, the research is quantitative. This is because the amount of powdered food consumed most by the dogs can be easily detected by taking weights before and after of the served bowl of the powdered food.
Answer (iv) The best consideration while choosing the dogs for this experiment is to preferably select same breed of dogs under observation.
A variable is a factor that can be changed either by the researcher or by the...