Identify the DEPENDENT VARIABLE in the following hypothesis: 'Researchers expect that children exposed to opiates prenatally will be at increased risk for developmental delays, regardless of their race or socioeconomic class.'

Identify the DEPENDENT VARIABLE in the following hypothesis: 'Researchers expect that children exposed to opiates prenatally will be at increased risk for developmental delays, regardless of their race or socioeconomic class.'

• A. Opiates
• B. Race
• C. Developmental delays
• D. Prenatal exposure to opiates

Answer: (C)

The outcome being measured and predicted to change is developmental delays. In this hypothesis, researchers expect that prenatal opiate exposure will increase the risk of delays in development, so developmental delays are the variable whose level or presence is being observed across groups. Prenatal exposure to opiates is the independent variable—the factor whose effect is being tested. Race and socioeconomic class are described to show the effect holds across these groups, acting as context or control variables rather than the outcome.

The outcome being measured and predicted to change is developmental delays. In this hypothesis, researchers expect that prenatal opiate exposure will increase the risk of delays in development, so developmental delays are the variable whose level or presence is being observed across groups.

Prenatal exposure to opiates is the independent variable—the factor whose effect is being tested. Race and socioeconomic class are described to show the effect holds across these groups, acting as context or control variables rather than the outcome.