In an experiment, which variable is observed to determine the effect of the independent variable?

In an experiment, which variable is observed to determine the effect of the independent variable?

• A. Control
• B. Dependent Variable
• C. Theory
• D. Independent Variable

Answer: (B)

The variable you observe to see the effect of what you change is the dependent variable. In an experiment, you deliberately vary the independent variable and then measure the dependent variable to see the outcome. For example, if you adjust fertilizer amount to see how it affects plant growth, plant height (the observed measurement) is the dependent variable. The control serves as a baseline for comparison, a theory is a proposed explanation, and the independent variable is the factor you change, not what you measure.

The variable you observe to see the effect of what you change is the dependent variable. In an experiment, you deliberately vary the independent variable and then measure the dependent variable to see the outcome. For example, if you adjust fertilizer amount to see how it affects plant growth, plant height (the observed measurement) is the dependent variable. The control serves as a baseline for comparison, a theory is a proposed explanation, and the independent variable is the factor you change, not what you measure.