Final answer:
Gender in this experiment is the independent variable, as it is the factor that is being selected or recorded by the experimenter to observe its effect on the type of play (the dependent variable).
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of an experimental study, gender would be classified as the independent variable. In the example provided, the experimenter is recording the gender of a child (the independent variable) to determine the effect of gender on the type of play. Thus, the way children play is likely the dependent variable, which is expected to change as a function of the child's gender. A constant is a value that does not change during the course of an experiment, while a control variable is something that is kept constant to prevent it from influencing the outcome of the experiment.
Based on this information, the correct answer to the question is c) Independent variable. The independent variable is the one that is manipulated or selected by the researcher to determine its effect on the dependent variable, which is then measured and statistically analyzed.