Which variable is changed or manipulated by the researcher in a study?

Which variable is changed or manipulated by the researcher in a study?

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

Answer: (B)

In experiments, researchers deliberately change one variable to see if it causes a change in another variable. That is the independent variable. It’s the input the experimenter controls or manipulates to test its effect on the outcome. For example, if you want to know whether study time affects test scores, the amount of study time is the variable you manipulate, while the score you measure is the dependent variable—the outcome you’re interested in. To add context, a random variable is a source of unpredictable variation that isn’t being deliberately manipulated, and a control variable is something kept constant so it doesn’t influence the relationship you’re studying.

In experiments, researchers deliberately change one variable to see if it causes a change in another variable. That is the independent variable. It’s the input the experimenter controls or manipulates to test its effect on the outcome.

For example, if you want to know whether study time affects test scores, the amount of study time is the variable you manipulate, while the score you measure is the dependent variable—the outcome you’re interested in.

To add context, a random variable is a source of unpredictable variation that isn’t being deliberately manipulated, and a control variable is something kept constant so it doesn’t influence the relationship you’re studying.