Question

a researcher wants to investigate whether there is a difference in the aerobic capacity between two different exercise programs. group 1 participates in a running program, and group 2 participates in a cycling program. after 8 weeks, the aerobic capacity is measured for both groups. below are the sample data:
group 1 (running program): sample size ($n_1$) = 3, sample mean ($overline{x}_1$) = 40, sample variance ($s_1^2$) = 4
group 2 (cycling program): sample size ($n_2$) = 4, sample mean ($overline{x}_2$) = 45, sample variance ($s_2^2$) = 9.
question 2:
what is the dependent variable in this example?
○ aerobic capacity
○ exercise programs (running vs cycling)
○ sample size
○ sample variance

Explanation:

A dependent variable is what is measured in an experiment. Here, the researcher measures aerobic capacity after different exercise programs. Exercise programs (independent variable) are manipulated, and aerobic capacity (dependent variable) is the outcome being measured. Sample size and variance are just descriptive statistics of the samples, not variables of interest in terms of cause - effect.

Answer:

Aerobic Capacity