What is the dependent variable?

• A. The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.
• B. The variable that is intentionally altered by the experimenter
• C. The baseline measurement taken before any treatment
• D. The control measurement

Answer: (A)

The dependent variable is the outcome that changes in response to the manipulated factor. In an experiment, you change the independent variable on purpose to see how it affects the dependent variable, which you then measure to assess the effect. For example, if you study how temperature affects reaction rate, the reaction rate is the dependent variable because it varies with temperature. The baseline measurement is simply a starting reference, not the outcome being observed. The control measurement serves as a standard for comparison, and the factor you actively change is the independent variable, not the dependent one.