The graph shows data from the light-colored soil enclosure. There is one dependent variable and more than one independent variable on the graph.

Question

What are the independent variables, the variables that were manipulated by the researcher?

A. the presence or absence of moonlight and the number of mice caught
B. mouse coat color and the presence or absence of moonlight
C. the color of the soil and the presence or absence of moonlight
D. mouse coat color and the number of mice caught

Answer 1

To determine the independent variables in the context of the experiment described, we need to identify the variables that the researcher manipulated.

The independent variables are typically those factors that are changed or controlled in an experiment to test their effects on the dependent variable.

Given the options provided:

A. the presence or absence of moonlight and the number of mice caught – This option mixes a dependent variable (number of mice caught) with an independent variable (presence or absence of moonlight), so it's not correct.

B. mouse coat color and the presence or absence of moonlight – This option lists two potential independent variables, which could be manipulated in the experiment.

C. the color of the soil and the presence or absence of moonlight – This option also lists two potential independent variables.

D. mouse coat color and the number of mice caught – This option again mixes dependent (number of mice caught) with independent variable (mouse coat color), which is not correct.

Based on this analysis, both option B and option C refer to potential independent variables. However, since we are looking for the ones explicitly manipulated, the best answer is:

B. mouse coat color and the presence or absence of moonlight.

This aligns with expectations that researchers could manipulate mouse coat color and moonlight presence in their study.