Textbook Question for Research Methods

MinahilMehr

Hi everyone. I know that this question probably seems like a super simple question (all it asks is to identify the IV and DV) but because of its wording I was inclined to believe that it could go either way; it says the pitch of voice is what changes, so that could be the IV, but then the lying could also be the IV couldnt it?

Here are the two answers I came up with:
ANSWER 1:
IV: whether or not person is lying
DV: change in pitch of voice (observable change)

ANSWER 2:
IV: change in pitch of voice
DV: determinant of whether or not person is lying

Would really appreciate help!

QUESTION:
Identify the IV and DV in each of the following if experimental research were to be conducted:
People change their pitch of voice when lying.

Queen_Of_Flora

MinahilMehr Hey, I would say the IV is whether or not the person is lying and the dependant variable is the change in pitch of voice. It is very confusing I agree. The reason I would say the IV is whether or not the person is lying is because the research is trying to conclude that people change the pitch of their voice when they lie. So the dependant variable (DV) is the measured variable so you can measure pitch of voice (could be quantitative/qualitative) but I would say it is hard to measure if someone is lying on not.
Also I am not a psych student so take this with a grain of salt, this is just how I would answer the question as a chem/bio/physics student.
Also I believe I may know you, have you ever attended swan hill college in Victoria? if so email me at CHA0136@shc.vic.edu.au
would love to hear from you,
Asiri

Mini

I would say that answer 1 is correct because question is specifically asking about how lying and pitch change are related, whereas answer 2 would have too many sources of errors/limitation since a change pitch of voice doesn't necessary mean that the person is lying. So answer 1 would make more sense.

I feel like a gave a really bad explanation as to why I think thats the answer so sorry.

MinahilMehr

Mini thank you so much (yes your explanation was helpful too thank you!) 🙂