A researcher would like to evaluate the claim that large doses of vitamin C can help prevent the common cold. One group of participants is given a large dose of the vitamin (500 mg per day), and a second group is given a placebo (sugar pill). The researcher records the number of colds each individual experiences during the 3-month winter season. a. Identify the dependent variable for this study. b. Is the dependent variable discrete or continuous?c. What scale of measurement (nominal, ordinal, or interval/ratio) is used to measure the dependent variable?d. What is the independent variable?e. What research method is being used (experimental or correlational?

1. The dependent variable is the common cold.

2. It is a discrete variable.

3. The interval/ratio scale.

4. The independent value is the large doses of Vitamin C administered.

5. The research method used is Experimental.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The dependent variable is the factor that we are trying to understand. In this case, it is the common cold and how it is affected by large doses of vitamins.

2. A discrete value is computed by counting. So the dependent variable - the common cold was computed by counting the number of occurrences.

3. The Interval/ratio scale is used because both the order of measurement and the differences between them are observed.

4. The Independent variable is the control in the experiment which can be compared to changes in the dependent variable. The large doses of vitamin C affects the common cold.

5. Correlational research observes patterns in variables that occur naturally while Experimental research introduces a change and monitors its effect. The research is Experimental because a change in the form of the placebo is introduced and observed.