For the following study, identify: (1) the type (i.e., method or design) of the

Question

For the following study, identify: (1) the type (i.e., method or design) of the study and why, (2) the independent variable(s), (3) the dependent variable(s), (4) whether the variables are discrete or continuous and why.

A clinical counselor is interested in examining what effect classical music may have on an individuals’ levels of relaxation. He expects that listening to classical music would make individuals feel more calm and relaxed. Participants are randomly assigned to two groups. The counselor has one group listen to classical music for one hour. For the other group, they have the participants sit in a quiet room for one hour (no music provided). After one hour, the counselor checks the heart rate of each participant to measure their level of relaxation.

(1) The type of the study (experimental or quasi-experimental?) and why?: [1 point] (2) The independent variable(s): [0.5 point]
(3) The dependent variable(s): [0.5 point]
(4) Discrete? or continuous? Why?

- The independent variable(s): [0.5 point] - The dependent variable(s): [0.5 point]

Explanation / Answer

1. The type of the study is experimental because participants are randomlyassigned to two groups and the researcher has no role in who gets to hear classical music and who does not. All the participants have equal chance of being classified to any of the two groups.

2. The independent variables are:

a.an indicator variable which is 1 if the participant was subjected to classical music and 0 if the participant was not.

b.heart rate of each participant before the start of the experiment.

3.Dependent variable: the heart rate of each participant after 1 hour.

4. Among the independent variables: the indicator variable is discrete because it can take only two specific values, where as, the heart rate of each particiapnt before the experiment is continuous, which although being discrete is considered as continuousbecause itcan take large number of .possible values.

By similar logic the dependent variable is also continuous in nature.

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