Chapter 1, Problem 14P

Ackerman and Goldsmith (2011) compared learning performance for students who studied material printed on paper versus students who studied the same mate­rial presented on a computer screen. All students were then given a test on the material and the researchers recorded the number of correct answer.

a. Identify the dependent variable for this study.

b. Is the dependent variable discrete or continuous?

c. What scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio) is used to measure the dependent variable?

To determine

To find: The dependent variable in the given study.

Answer to Problem 14P

Numbers of correct answers is the dependent variable.

Explanation of Solution

Given info:

Researchers compared learning performance for students who studied material printed on paper versus students who studied the same material presented on a computer screen.

A test on the material was conducted. The number of correct answers was recorded.

Justification:

Here, candidates choose the type of study either material on printed paper or on their computer screen. And their numbers of correct answers are recorded, so number of correct answers depends on the type of study.

Therefore, the numbers of correct answers is dependent variable for given study.

To determine

To find: The dependent variable is discrete or continuous.

Answer to Problem 14P

The dependent variable is discrete.

Explanation of Solution

Given info:

Researchers compared learning performance for students who studied material printed on paper versus students who studied the same material presented on a computer screen.

A test on the material was conducted. The number of correct answers was recorded.

Justification:

And number of correct answers will be a whole number, taking finite number from zero maximum number of questions. Therefore, the dependent variable is discrete random variable.

To determine

To find: The scale of measurement of dependent variable.

Answer to Problem 14P

The scale of measurement of dependent variable is ratio.

Explanation of Solution

Given info:

Researchers compared learning performance for students who studied material printed on paper versus students who studied the same material presented on a computer screen.

A test on the material was conducted. The number of correct answers was recorded.

Justification:

Since, numbers of correct answers will be a whole number and zero number of correct answers means no correct answer, therefore scale of numbers of correct answers is ratio scale.