Final answer:
The statement is false. An independent variable is what the experimenter changes at the beginning of the experiment, and it is designed to affect the dependent variable, which is then measured to see the effects of that manipulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that an independent variable is a change that usually takes place at the end of an experiment is false. An independent variable is a manipulated or controlled variable in an experimental study, and it is what the experimenter changes deliberately to observe the effects on the dependent variable. The dependent variable, also known as the outcome variable, is what the researcher measures to see how much effect the independent variable had. In a well-designed experiment, all other variables are controlled to ensure that any change in the dependent variable is directly due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
For example, if you are conducting an experiment to determine how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, the independent variable is the amount of sunlight each plant receives, while the dependent variable is the growth of the plants. Researchers will manipulate the amount of sunlight (independent variable) and observe and measure the growth of the plants (dependent variable).