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Case Study

Based on this research scenario, identify which group is the experimental group and explain why. In your explanation, identify the independent variable and how it is manipulated for this group.

Case context: A researcher is conducting a study to determine if listening to classical music while studying improves comprehension score test results. She recruits 50 undergraduate students. Group 1 is instructed to study a text passage in a room playing classical music, while Group 2 studies the same passage in a silent room. Afterwards, both groups take a comprehension test.

Question: Based on this research scenario, identify which group is the experimental group and explain why. In your explanation, identify the independent variable and how it is manipulated for this group.

Sample answer: Group 1 is the experimental group because they are exposed to the experimental manipulation of the independent variable. The independent variable in this study is the presence of classical music during studying, which is actively manipulated by having Group 1 listen to music while Group 2 studies in silence.

Key points:

  • Identification of Group 1 as the experimental group.
  • Identification of the presence of classical music as the independent variable.
  • Explanation of how Group 1 receives the active manipulation of this independent variable.

Rubric: The response must correctly identify Group 1 as the experimental group, identify the independent variable as the presence of classical music, and explain that Group 1 represents the experimental group because they receive the manipulated condition.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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