Which variable is manipulated in an experiment to study its effects?

In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated to observe its effects on another variable is known as the independent variable. This is the factor that researchers change or control in order to test its influence on the dependent variable, which is the outcome being measured. For instance, if a researcher is studying how the amount of sunlight affects plant growth, the amount of sunlight would be the independent variable, as it is what the researcher varies to see how it impacts plant growth.

Control variables are constants that are kept the same throughout the experiment to ensure that the test outcomes are valid and only influenced by the independent variable. Confounding variables are extraneous factors that may affect the dependent variable if not controlled, and they can complicate the interpretation of the results. Therefore, recognizing the independent variable's role is crucial for understanding how experiments are structured to draw meaningful conclusions about cause and effect.