Final answer:
In a scientific experiment, the independent variable (IV) is manipulated to discover the differential effects of a range of values. The dependent variable (DV) is the variable that is changed or affected by the IV. Changing the IV allows us to investigate the relationship between variables and determine if there are meaningful differences in the DV based on the different levels of the IV.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a scientific experiment, the variable that is manipulated is called the independent variable (IV). This variable is the 'driver' variable that creates change. The purpose of manipulating the IV is to discover the differential effects of a range of values. For example, if you were conducting an experiment to determine the effect of different temperatures on plant growth, the IV would be the temperature, and you would manipulate it by exposing the plants to different temperature conditions.
On the other hand, the dependent variable (DV) is the variable that is changed or affected by the IV. It is the 'receiving' variable. In the plant growth experiment, the DV would be the growth of the plants, and you would measure this variable to see how it is influenced by the different temperature conditions.
Overall, changing the IV in an experiment allows us to investigate the relationship between variables and determine if there are meaningful differences in the DV based on the different levels of the IV.