In research, which type of variable is manipulated to observe its effect?

The independent variable is the type of variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effects on another variable, which is typically called the dependent variable. By changing the independent variable, researchers can assess how these changes influence outcomes, allowing them to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

For instance, if researchers want to study how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, the amount of sunlight would be the independent variable. The growth of the plants would be measured as the dependent variable, reflecting the effect of the manipulated sunlight levels.

In contrast, controlled variables are those kept constant throughout the experiment to ensure that any observed effects can be attributed solely to the independent variable. Confounding variables are extraneous factors that could inadvertently influence the dependent variable, making it difficult to determine the true effect of the independent variable. Understanding the role of the independent variable is crucial for conducting valid and reliable research.