HW HELP. Which one is the independent variable & which is the dependent variable?
Posted by admin on July 30th, 2010 filed in Garden Bird ControlThis is the only homework problem I am not sure about
Scientists observed & recorded pecking patterns & underwing color markings of an unknown woodpecker to determine the species.-common pileated woodpecker, or the rare ivory-billed woodpecker.
Wouldnt the Scientists observations & recordings be the dependent variable, & the pecking patterns & underwing markings they are looking for be the independent variable?? (Since the observations & recordings DEPEND on the certain markings they are looking for? )
Good Bird Deterrents Blogs
- Best homework problem ever « Quantum Moxie
- The Cronk of Higher Education » Math Department Ordered to Eliminate Homework “Problems”
- Leucistic Pileated Woodpecker
Mail this post
July 30th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Hi,
They’re trying to determine the species. They can only define this quantity based on their observations of the pecking patterns and under-wing colour. So the species being identified y, depends on behaviour and colour x.
Species they’re trying to identify is dependant
Pecking patters and colours observed are independent
The best way to remember this is to look what they’re trying to find out. In this case, the ultimate aim of the experiment or observation is "What species of bird is this?" - This is the dependant variable.
You can indeed have independent and dependent variables during observation. You don’t have to physically be affecting anything as suggested by other answers. All you need is something to look for, a result of some kind to record (dependant), and something that is changing that can be recorded and is affecting the result (independent).
July 30th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
These are observations and there is no treatment or experiment.
Did the reseachers change or modify anthing ? No. Changing or modifying is a requirement of an experiment.
depednet vars are affected by the treatment. no treament means no dependent variable.