A researcher investigated executive functioning in children. A matched pairs design was used. This involved 12 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 12 children without ADHD. Each child was observed executing a complex puzzle task in a quiet room. The researcher recorded the number of times each child lost focus (defined as looking away from the puzzle for more than 5 seconds). It was found that children with ADHD lost focus significantly more times than children without ADHD.
Identify the independent variable in this study.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Scientific processes with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 100 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.