What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

• A. The variable scientists change.
• B. A constant used to calibrate.
• C. The variable that scientists observe or measure to see if it is affected.
• D. The sample size.

Answer: (C)

The dependent variable is the quantity you measure to see how it responds to changes you make in the experiment. It depends on the manipulation of the independent variable. The correct description matches this idea: you observe or measure something to determine if it is affected by what you change. For example, if you change the amount of fertilizer (independent variable), you would measure plant growth (dependent variable) to see the effect. The other options describe the variable you deliberately change, a constant kept the same, or the sample size, none of which are the measured outcome of interest.

The dependent variable is the quantity you measure to see how it responds to changes you make in the experiment. It depends on the manipulation of the independent variable. The correct description matches this idea: you observe or measure something to determine if it is affected by what you change. For example, if you change the amount of fertilizer (independent variable), you would measure plant growth (dependent variable) to see the effect. The other options describe the variable you deliberately change, a constant kept the same, or the sample size, none of which are the measured outcome of interest.