What is a dependent variable?

A dependent variable is defined as the outcome that researchers measure in an experiment, which is influenced or affected by changes in the independent variable. In the context of an experiment, the independent variable is the one that the researcher manipulates to observe its effects, while the dependent variable serves as the outcome that reflects these effects.

For example, if a researcher is studying the impact of study time on test scores, the study time would be the independent variable, and the test scores would be the dependent variable, as they depend on the amount of study time. This understanding is crucial in research design because it helps researchers identify what they are measuring and understand the relationships between different variables.

Other options do not accurately reflect the role of a dependent variable. A variable that remains constant (like the first option) is typically referred to as a controlled variable, which is held steady to minimize its influence on the dependent variable. The second option describes a role not typically assigned to a dependent variable, as it refers to a variable that influences rather than is influenced. The last choice refers to the initial conditions or parameters of an experiment, which could be considered as part of the research design but does not define the dependent variable.