Final answer:
The independent variable in the investigation is the type of container material (glass or aluminum), used to test heat retention properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The independent variable in this investigation is the type of container material (glass or aluminum) that the students are testing for heat retention properties. By changing the material of the container while keeping other factors like the amount of hot water and the initial temperature the same, students are able to observe how the different materials affect the rate of temperature change in the water. In calorimetry, such experiments are crucial to understand the thermal conductivity and specific heat of various materials.