Which variable is measured to determine the effect of the independent variable?

The dependent variable is the one measured to determine the effect of the independent variable in an experiment. In research design, the independent variable is manipulated by the researcher to observe how changes in it affect the dependent variable. The dependent variable reflects the outcome or response that is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable.

For instance, if a study is examining the effects of different study techniques on test scores, the study techniques would be the independent variable, and the test scores would be the dependent variable. The intention is to see how manipulating the study techniques (independent variable) influences the scores (dependent variable).

Other variables such as extraneous variables are factors that could potentially influence the dependent variable but are not of interest in the study. Control variables are those that are kept constant to ensure that any changes in the dependent variable are directly due to the independent variable. However, they are not measured as outcomes; rather, they are managed to maintain the integrity of the experiment. The independent variable itself is what is manipulated for the purpose of the study, not the outcome that is measured.