Which type of variable is manipulated in an experiment?

In an experiment, the variable that is manipulated is known as the independent variable. This is the factor that researchers change or control to observe its effects on another variable, known as the dependent variable. By adjusting the independent variable, scientists can determine how it influences outcomes or behaviors.

For instance, if a scientist is testing how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, the amount of sunlight is the independent variable. The resulting growth of the plants, measured over time, will be the dependent variable, which is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the sunlight.

Understanding the role of the independent variable is fundamental to experimental design, as it establishes the basis for hypothesis testing and helps in drawing conclusions from the experiment.