In an experiment, what term describes the factor deliberately changed by the researcher to observe its effect?

In an experiment, what term describes the factor deliberately changed by the researcher to observe its effect?

• A. Dependent variable
• B. Ecosystem
• C. Independent variable
• D. Natural kinds

Answer: (C)

The factor you deliberately change in an experiment is the independent variable. You adjust this variable on purpose to see how it affects something else in the setup. The thing you measure in response is the dependent variable, which shows the effect of the change in the independent variable. For example, you might vary the amount of sunlight a plant gets and then measure its growth to see how sunlight influences it. The other options describe different ideas: an ecosystem is the whole living system and its environment, and natural kinds refer to broad categories, not the manipulated factor in an experiment.

The factor you deliberately change in an experiment is the independent variable. You adjust this variable on purpose to see how it affects something else in the setup. The thing you measure in response is the dependent variable, which shows the effect of the change in the independent variable. For example, you might vary the amount of sunlight a plant gets and then measure its growth to see how sunlight influences it. The other options describe different ideas: an ecosystem is the whole living system and its environment, and natural kinds refer to broad categories, not the manipulated factor in an experiment.