Question

an experiment is designed to compare the differences in health outcomes between people who are visited in the hospital by therapy cats and people who are not. which of these is the independent variable?

a. whether a therapy cat has visited

b. subjects in the control group

c. subjects in the experimental group

d. health outcomes

Explanation:

In an experiment, the independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or controlled to observe its effect on the dependent variable. Here, the experiment manipulates whether a therapy cat visits (the independent variable) to see its effect on health outcomes (dependent variable). Options B and C refer to groups, not variables. Option D is the dependent variable (the outcome being measured). So the independent variable is whether a therapy cat has visited.

Answer:

A. Whether a therapy cat has visited