Independent versus Dependent Variables and Research Questions As a scientist and a budding new researcher, you must determine what specific measures or variables you want to use for your research. For example, if you want to measure happiness, and you want to consider the different factors that might impact happiness, such as age, income, and marital status. In this example, you have different measures that you will take, or what researchers commonly refer to as variables. Broadly defined, variables are measurements that change over time (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). When examining these different variables or measures, it is important to differentiate that there are separate categories or types of variables that researchers typically use. In most cases, these variables are designated as either independent or dependent(Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). Independent variables are variables that the researcher intentionally changes or manipulates and controls, and they occur first in time during a research study, which is the principle of temporalcontiguity. On the other hand, dependent variables are the measures used to assess the impact of this intentional manipulation or change. They occur second in time and can be viewed as ‘dependent’ on the changes in the independent variable. Explore the following information to learn more:  Launch in a separate window For example, a true independent variable would be a study where the researcher intentionally randomly assigns participants to consume different samples of flavors of ice cream. The researcher then measures participants’ self-reported likelihood of eating it again in the future using a Likert-type rating scale of 1 (not at all likely) to 10 (extremely likely). In this case, the different flavors of ice cream would be considered the trueindependent variable, or the variable that the researcher has total control over and is intentionally changing or manipulating in some way by randomly assigning subjects to consume these different flavors (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). The dependent variable in this example would be the subjects’ self-reported ratings of the likelihood of eating that particular flavor of ice cream again in the future.  Figure 1 People May only Like Certain Flavors of Ice Cream  Now, put on your thinking cap, and start to think like a scientist. See if you can think of a few more examples of research studies that you would like to conduct, with clearly defined independent and dependent variables. Write these variables down, and then talk it over with your professor to determine if you are on the right track in terms of your ability to differentiate a true independent from a dependent variable. Just like most things in life, the more you practice at something, the better you will get – so give it a try! Here is another example for you to consider. If you want to study happiness and try to figure out how income influences individuals’ self-reported level of happiness (Santos, 2018), then ...

1. Independent versus Dependent Variables and Research
Questions
As a scientist and a budding new researcher, you must
determine what specific measures or variables you want to use
for your research. For example, if you want to measure
happiness, and you want to consider the different factors that
might impact happiness, such as age, income, and marital status.
In this example, you have different measures that you will take,
or what researchers commonly refer to as variables. Broadly
defined, variables are measurements that change over time
(Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018).
When examining these different variables or measures, it is
important to differentiate that there are separate categories or
types of variables that researchers typically use. In most cases,
these variables are designated as
either independent or dependent(Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018).
Independent variables are variables that the researcher
intentionally changes or manipulates and controls, and they
occur first in time during a research study, which is the
principle of temporalcontiguity.
On the other hand, dependent variables are the measures used to
assess the impact of this intentional manipulation or change.
They occur second in time and can be viewed as ‘dependent’ on
the changes in the independent variable. Explore the following
information to learn more:
Launch in a separate window
For example, a true independent variable would be a study
where the researcher intentionally randomly assigns participants
to consume different samples of flavors of ice cream. The
researcher then measures participants’ self-reported likelihood
of eating it again in the future using a Likert-type rating scale
of 1 (not at all likely) to 10 (extremely likely). In this case, the
different flavors of ice cream would be considered the
trueindependent variable, or the variable that the researcher has

2. total control over and is intentionally changing or manipulating
in some way by randomly assigning subjects to consume these
different flavors (Gravetter & Foranzo, 2018). The dependent
variable in this example would be the subjects’ self-reported
ratings of the likelihood of eating that particular flavor of ice
cream again in the future.
Figure 1
People May only Like Certain Flavors of Ice Cream
Now, put on your thinking cap, and start to think like a
scientist. See if you can think of a few more examples of
research studies that you would like to conduct, with clearly
defined independent and dependent variables. Write these
variables down, and then talk it over with your professor to
determine if you are on the right track in terms of your ability
to differentiate a true independent from a dependent variable.
Just like most things in life, the more you practice at something,
the better you will get – so give it a try!
Here is another example for you to consider. If you want to
study happiness and try to figure out how income influences
individuals’ self-reported level of happiness (Santos, 2018),
then, in this case, you can identify which variable is the
independent variable and which one is the dependent variable.
To help you figure this out, remember that an independent
variable comes first in time. This type of variable or measure is
often used to predict something else in the future. Did you get it
right? In this case, income level is the independent variable that
is being used to predict happiness. On the other hand, the
dependent variable would be the variable that you are trying to
predict in some way, and it occurs after the independent
variable on the timeline. In this example, it would be the
outcome measure of self-reported happiness. Another question
to consider here: Is the variable of income considered a true
independent variable or a quasi-independent one, and if so,
why? A quasi-independent variable is a variable that the
researcher is unable to randomly assign participants to. Take a

3. moment to reflect on this, and then consider your answer.
Drum roll, please … If you said a ‘quasi’ independent variable,
then you are correct! Gold star for you! Remember, a quasi-
experimental variable is a variable that the researcher does not
have complete control over and cannot randomly assign
subjects. Given that income level is not something that the
researcher would have direct control over, this would be
considered a quasi-independent variable, or a variable that
is almost, but not quite, a true independent variable (Gravetter
& Foranzo, 2018).
Now that you are clearer on the differences between an
independent and a dependent variable and what a quasi-versus,
a true independent variable looks like, it is important for you to
also think about how you will define each of the variables you
have identified for your hypothetical study, and to be certain
that you are able to randomly assign subjects to the different
levels of the independent variable (a true independent variable).
For example, you might measure whether or not someone is
smiling as a measure of happiness, or you might use a self-
reported measurement where an individual rates on a scale of 1-
10 how happy they are at that particular moment in time.
You might also want to use more sophisticated measures such as
the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) or the PANAS
(Positive and Negative Affect Scale) (Santos, 2018). (For more
about how to find happiness and well-being, check out the
Happiness lab to determine if you can find more direction here
for fulfillment in your own life). Believe it or not, the
difference in the type of measure you select can influence the
results and the conclusions too! You want your measures to be
both reliable – or consistent time and time again, and valid – or
accurate in measuring what you intend to. Explore the concepts
of reliability and validity below:
Launch in a separate window
Something to consider as you continue with your studies –
particularly when you are trying to synthesize studies and
compare results: Take time to write down some independent and

4. dependent variables or measures that you might want to explore
for your research topic of interest.
Developing Research Questions
Now that you have identified independent and dependent
variables of interest, you are ready to begin developing a
research question. Generally, a research question is a broad
statement of what you want to inquire about and why it is
important to do so. As you will learn this week, there are
characteristics of ‘good’ research questions you should know
when creating a research question. These five characteristics of
a good question are as follows:
a. the question clearly defines the variables of interest;
b. the question is falsifiable or testable;
c. the question is worthwhile or important to study;
d. the question clearly states the type of relationship that is
expected; and
e. the question can be answered in one study (APA, 2020).
Figure 2
Characteristics of Good Research Questions
After a concise research question has been identified, with
specific independent and dependent variables indicated, you
will then want to include a null and an alternative hypothesis.
The alternative hypothesis is what you expect to occur. It is like
an answer that you are providing ahead of time to your research
question. For example, you might hypothesize that the more
time you spend lifting weights (independent variable), the better
your physical fitness level will be as measured by your muscle
mass (dependent variable). This is the alternative hypothesis or
the effect you expect to observe. On the other hand, the null
hypothesis states that there is no effect or impact of the
independent variable (amount of time lifting weights) on the
dependent variable (your muscle mass).
This week, you will be asked to select a true independent
variable (not a quasi-independent variable) and a dependent
variable of interest, develop a research question, and provide a

5. corresponding null and alternative hypothesis based on what
you expect to find. Pull up your sleeves, and get ready to dig in
and get to work. You have a busy week ahead!
References
Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2018). Research methods for
the behavioral sciences (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
American Psychological Association. (2020). PsycLearn
research methods [Computer software]. Author.
Santos, L. (2018). The Happiness Lab. Pushkin Industries.
Weekly Resources and Assignments
Review the resources from the Course Resources link, located in
the top navigation bar, to prepare for this week’s assignments.
The resources may include textbook reading assignments,
journal articles, websites, links to tools or software, videos,
handouts, rubrics, etc.
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List of Topics and Sub-Modules for Week 3
· Module 2: Getting Started
External Learning Tool
PsycLearn Research Methods Version 1.4 (2020).
CogBooks, American Psychological Association.
Complete Module 2.
This resource provides the fundamental concepts for this week,
along with clear examples and exercises to assist you with
understanding and applying these materials.
· Week 3 - Assignment: Develop a Good Research Question
with Chosen Variables and Related Hypotheses
Assignment
Top of Form

6. Due November 14 at 11:59 PM
Bottom of Form
For your assignment this week, you will meet with your
professor during an interactive live meeting. If you had
difficulty scheduling your meeting, you might check to see if
your professor holds regular office hours and find the time to
attend then. If you are unable to meet with your professor,
submit a written paper summarizing your responses as outlined
below, including any questions you might have for your
professor.
During this meeting, you will be asked to define, in your own
words, what an independent and a dependent variable are, and
how you can differentiate one from the other. Next, you will
identify specific independent and dependent variables of
interest within your topic of interest and why you selected these
specific measures (reliability and validity might come into play
here, so briefly define and describe these concepts and how they
apply).
After clearly identifying and describing these variables,
intentionally create a research question that needs some
improvement (based on the five characteristics of good research
questions that you read about this week in the PsycLearn
module). To recap, these five characteristics include: a clearly
defined relationship; variables of interest are described; the
research can be conducted in a single study; the research
question is falsifiable, and it is a worthwhile question. Once
you provide a poor or weak research question, provide a
stronger new and improved question, along with a brief analysis
as to why this is a better research question to ask. Be sure to
detail the five characteristics of a good research question in
your response. Finally, conclude with a corresponding null and
alternative hypothesis that directly aligns with your new and
improved research question. Note that the null hypothesis
should state that there is no effect, and the alternative
hypothesis should state there is an effect in the direction that
you expect.

7. Here is an example to help you to get a sense of what you want
to do this week.
Research question (weak/poor): Is there is a connection between
regular exercise and feeling good, as well as thinking clearly
and enjoying life, and being happy?
Research question (stronger/improved): Is there is a strong
positive correlation between getting regular exercise and self-
reported measures of life satisfaction? (here, the relationship is
more clearly defined).
Corresponding null hypothesis: There is no relationship between
regular daily exercise of 30 minutes or more and self-reported
measures of life satisfaction on the Life Satisfaction Ratings
Scale (LSRS).
Corresponding alternative hypothesis: There is a significant
positive correlation between regular daily exercise of 30
minutes or more and self-reported measures of life satisfaction
on the Life Satisfaction Ratings Scale (LSRS).
Assemble these components in a Word file to prepare for your
meeting. Here is a list to help you to remember to answer all
parts of the questions this week. It is recommended you check
off each item as you complete it for a thorough response.
· Explain in your own words what an independent variable is,
along with one that you want to explore more, and why it is
important to do so.
· Explain in your own words what a dependent variable is, along
with one that you want to measure, and any concerns about
reliability or validity.
· Provide an intentionally weak research question using the
identified independent and dependent variables.
· Provide a new and improved version of this research question.
· Describe the five characteristics of a good research question
and how they are not all present in your original weak question
but are present in your stronger new and improved version of
your research question.
· Provide a corresponding null and alternative hypothesis that
aligns directly with your new and improved research question.

8. Length: 1-2 page summary of your work, along with a reference
list
References: Include a minimum of 3 scholarly resources for
your written response.
The completed assignment should address all of the assignment
requirements, exhibit evidence of concept knowledge, and
demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the content presented in
the course. The writing should integrate scholarly resources,
reflect academic expectations and current APA standards, and
adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy.
When applicable, conduct a Turnitin pre-check and then upload
your completed assignment and click the Submit to
Dropbox button.