Final answer:
The dependent variable is the outcome or effect that changes due to manipulation of the independent variable in an experiment. It's essential for testing hypotheses and understanding the causal relationship between variables in scientific research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dependent variable is the outcome that happens because of the independent variable. In scientific research, an independent variable is the cause of change, whereas a dependent variable is the effect or thing that is changed by the independent variable. A typical experimental setup involves manipulating the independent variable to measure the effects on the dependent variable, ensuring that any other potential variables (known as control variables) are held constant.
For example, if a study aims to investigate the effects of different levels of light on plant growth, the intensity of light would be the independent variable, and plant growth would be the dependent variable. The dependent variable is typically what is being measured in the experiment and is often plotted along the y-axis of a graph.
A clear understanding of these relationships helps to test hypotheses, determine causation, and draw conclusions from experiments. It is crucial to remember that the dependent variable is what changes as the independent variable changes.