What is the dependent variable in research?

The dependent variable in research refers to what is measured during the study. It represents the outcome or the effect that researchers are interested in observing and assessing. This variable is influenced by changes in the independent variable, which is the factor that researchers manipulate to determine its effect.

For example, in an experiment testing the effects of a new teaching method on student performance, student performance would be the dependent variable, as it is what is being measured to see if the new method has any effect. The dependent variable is crucial because it provides the data necessary for researchers to validate or refute their hypotheses based on empirical evidence.

In contrast to this, the factor that is manipulated refers to the independent variable, while what is controlled refers to constants in the experiment that remain the same to ensure a fair test. The idea that something could affect other variables pertains to the concept of potential independent variables but does not directly relate to the dependent variable's role within the context of the study.