A marine biologist investigated the physiological stress response of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) to underwater noise pollution using a repeated measures design.
In the first condition, a cohort of sea turtles was exposed to low-frequency shipping vessel noise playback (at a sound pressure level of 150 dB re 1 μ \mu\,μPa) for 30 minutes.
In the second condition, the same cohort of sea turtles was exposed to a natural ambient reef soundscape playback (at a sound pressure level of 80 dB re 1 μ \mu\,μPa) for 30 minutes.
During each condition, the biologist measured the plasma corticosterone concentration (in ng/mL) of each turtle as a biomarker for physiological stress.
Identify the independent variable in this study.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Scientific processes with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 689 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
