What is a dependent variable in an experiment?

In the context of an experiment, the dependent variable is indeed the variable that is being tested and measured. This means it is the outcome or response that researchers observe to assess the effects of the independent variable, which is the factor that the researcher manipulates.

When conducting an experiment, researchers are interested in understanding how changes in the independent variable might influence the dependent variable. For example, if a researcher is investigating the effect of different amounts of sunlight on plant growth, the amount of growth (height, biomass, etc.) would be the dependent variable as it is directly influenced by the independent variable (amount of sunlight).

This concept is crucial because it helps in establishing cause-and-effect relationships in research. The dependent variable provides the data needed to determine whether and how changes in the independent variable produce different outcomes.

In contrast, the choices referring to the variable being manipulated, constants, and control variables represent other components of experimental design but do not accurately define the dependent variable, which specifically focuses on what is measured in response to the independent variable's manipulation.