Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) — Question 26

A researcher at your facility has submitted his study to the IRB for approval. As a member of the IRB Review Committee, you note that his research is investigating lung cancer occurrence in women who smoke. His timeframe for the study is January through December of 2008. In this study, the independent variable in this case is:

Answer options

• A. the study timeframe.
• B. women who smoke.
• C. women who do not smoke.
• D. cancer occurrence.

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or categorized to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In this case, 'women who smoke' is the independent variable because the study aims to examine how smoking influences lung cancer occurrence. The other options are either timeframes or outcomes, which do not serve as independent variables in this context.