In a study where bedtime routine is examined for its effect on sleep quality, which is the independent variable?

In a study where bedtime routine is examined for its effect on sleep quality, which is the independent variable?

• A. Bedtime routine.
• B. Sleep quality.
• C. Age.
• D. Number of nights observed.

Answer: (A)

The independent variable is the factor the researcher changes to see its effect on the outcome. In this study, the bedtime routine is what’s being manipulated to observe its impact on sleep quality, so the bedtime routine is the independent variable. Sleep quality is what’s measured to assess the effect, making it the dependent variable. Age is a characteristic of participants that isn’t being varied, and the number of nights observed is a design detail of data collection rather than a variable being tested for its impact.

The independent variable is the factor the researcher changes to see its effect on the outcome. In this study, the bedtime routine is what’s being manipulated to observe its impact on sleep quality, so the bedtime routine is the independent variable. Sleep quality is what’s measured to assess the effect, making it the dependent variable. Age is a characteristic of participants that isn’t being varied, and the number of nights observed is a design detail of data collection rather than a variable being tested for its impact.