Asked by Becca Rogier on Jul 25, 2024

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Define the terms research question, independent variable, and dependent variable; give a brief example of a research question and identify the independent and dependent variables within it.

Independent Variable

A variable that is the presumed cause of a particular result (see dependent variable).

Dependent Variable

The variable that is a presumed effect.

Research Question

A specific query that guides scientific or scholarly investigation, aiming to answerable inquiries based on empirical evidence and reasoned argument.

  • Detail the core terms used in sociology research methodology, such as sampling, generalization, research question, hypotheses, variables, validity, and reliability.
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LB
Laura BloodworthJul 29, 2024
Final Answer :
A research question is a specific inquiry that a researcher seeks to answer through their study. It is the central question that guides the research process and helps to focus the study on a particular topic or issue.

An independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment. It is the variable that is hypothesized to have an effect on the dependent variable.

A dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed in an experiment. It is the variable that is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable.

For example, a research question could be: "Does the amount of sunlight a plant receives affect its growth?"

In this research question, the independent variable is the amount of sunlight, as this is the variable that is being manipulated by the researcher. The dependent variable is the plant's growth, as this is the variable that is being measured and is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable.