Cumulative Clicker Practice Test

In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on another variable is the independent variable. This is the factor that researchers change to determine how it impacts the outcome of the experiment, which is measured by the dependent variable. For example, if a study aims to find out how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, the amount of sunlight is the independent variable being manipulated.

The dependent variable, in contrast, is the outcome that is measured to see how it changes in response to the independent variable. Controlled variables are constants that are kept the same throughout the experiment to ensure that any observed effects can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable, rather than other factors. A sample variable is not a standard term used in experimental design, and therefore it does not accurately describe any role in the manipulation of variables within an experiment.