A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What is the independent variable in Chaney et al (2004) study?

1. Compliance with prescribed medical regime

2. Device used to administer asthma drugs

3. Age range of the participants

4. Random sampling technique

The correct answer is: Device used to administer asthma drugs

The independent variable in the Chaney et al. (2004) study is indeed the device used to administer asthma drugs. In this research, the investigators aimed to compare the effectiveness of a new device known as the Funhaler with a standard inhaler in terms of improving adherence and compliance among children with asthma. By manipulating the type of device that participants used to take their medication, the researchers could observe how this change impacted compliance levels. The study looked at how the Funhaler, which included playful elements and could potentially make the medication-taking process more enjoyable for children, influenced the participants' willingness to adhere to their medical regime. This focus on the device makes it clear that it is the independent variable, as it is the factor that the researchers deliberately altered to see its effects on the dependent variable, which is the compliance with the prescribed medical regime. In contrast, the other options either represent outcomes (like compliance), characteristics of the sample (like age), or aspects of the research design (like sampling technique) that don't serve as an independent variable in this context.