In a study with an experimental design, what constitutes the dependent variable?

• A. The variable manipulated by the researcher.
• B. The outcome measured to assess the effect of the IV.
• C. The participants' demographics.
• D. The variable used to assign participants to groups.

Answer: (B)

The dependent variable is the outcome that is measured to see if the independent variable makes a difference. In an experimental design, you deliberately change something (the independent variable) and then observe what happens to the outcome you’re interested in—the dependent variable. This measured outcome tells you whether the manipulation had an effect. For example, if you test whether a study technique (the independent variable) improves test scores, the test scores are the dependent variable because they reflect the result of using the technique. Demographics describe who participated and aren’t the measured outcome of the manipulation, while the variable used to assign participants to groups relates to how you set up the experiment, not the outcome being measured.