I need urgent help identifying the independent and dependent variables in an exp
ID: 8465 • Letter: I
Question
I need urgent help identifying the independent and dependent variables in an experimental set-up.
I am investigating whether or not swordtail fish can use both their personal experience as well as observations to forage from the best quality food patch.
My hypothesis is that swordtail fish will be able to combine both their personal experience and observations to make a decision about how to best forage for food.
Methods:
Swordtail fish in the experimental group will be placed in a tank with two feeders, where one feeder (A) has more food than the other (B). They will be observed to see which feeder they will prefer.
The fishes that demonstrated a preference for feeder A will be made to observe other swordtail fish feeding from the same tank, except this time, feeder B will contain more food than feeder A.
The fishes will then be released and observed to see which feeder they choose.
Is there more than one independent variable? I would really appreciate any input!
Explanation / Answer
The amount of food is the independent; so is the feeder you place it in...you are controlling both of these factors and both impact the fish (the fish decision is the dependent). Both are independent variables because: the fish could go for the same feeder each time regardless of amount (showing the effects of one independent) or they could always go for the more full feeder (showing the effects of the other independent). both are altered as part of the experiment and impact the dv, so they (the feeder with the most food, and the amount of food) are both independent variables please rate this...