Which term refers to the variable measured to observe the effect, the outcome?

Which term refers to the variable measured to observe the effect, the outcome?

• A. Independent variable
• B. Dependent variable
• C. Criteria
• D. Trend

Answer: (B)

In experiments, you change one thing to see its effect on another thing you measure. The thing you measure to observe the outcome is the dependent variable. The outcome depends on what you changed, so it’s the variable you record data for to see the result. For example, if you study how sunlight affects plant growth, sunlight is what you change (the independent variable), and plant growth is what you measure to see the effect (the dependent variable). The other terms don’t fit: criteria are standards used to judge something, and a trend is a pattern over time rather than the specific measurement you observe.

In experiments, you change one thing to see its effect on another thing you measure. The thing you measure to observe the outcome is the dependent variable. The outcome depends on what you changed, so it’s the variable you record data for to see the result. For example, if you study how sunlight affects plant growth, sunlight is what you change (the independent variable), and plant growth is what you measure to see the effect (the dependent variable). The other terms don’t fit: criteria are standards used to judge something, and a trend is a pattern over time rather than the specific measurement you observe.