A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

How was the dependent variable measured in Chaney et al (2004)?

1. Parental satisfaction with the medication

2. Children's compliance to the medication regime

3. Frequency of asthma attacks

4. Time spent using the Funhaler

The correct answer is: Children's compliance to the medication regime

In the study conducted by Chaney et al. (2004), the researchers measured the dependent variable by examining how well children complied with their asthma medication regime. This aspect is crucial because the effectiveness of such interventions, particularly in making medication administration enjoyable, hinges on whether children will consistently follow the prescribed routine. The Funhaler, a device designed to make taking asthma medication more engaging for children, was intended to improve adherence to the medication regimen. By measuring compliance, the researchers could assess the impact of the Funhaler compared to traditional inhalers, providing insights into behavioral changes resulting from the intervention. In contrast, options such as parental satisfaction, frequency of asthma attacks, and time spent using the Funhaler, while potentially informative in other contexts, do not directly address the primary focus of the study, which was to evaluate children's adherence to the medication routine. These factors may be related but do not serve as the primary measure of the dependent variable in this particular research.