Answer

This study is correlational. Nothing is manipulated by the researchers. They are essentially looking to see how walking and reaction time covary. As this is a correlational study, there is no independent or variable as we don't know what is responsible for the covariation and nothing is manipulated. It has two dependent variables - amount of walking (length and time) and reactiontime. While on the surface, it would appear that the researcher draws a valid conclusion, this is not the case. In a correlational study, one can not make cause and effect statement. We do not know if walking causes or leads to better reaction time or if individuals with good reaction time are more likely to walk or it some other variable such as overall good health is involved. In other words, if one is in good health, they are more likely to walk and have good reaction time than individuals in poor health.

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