Final answer:
In Jackie's experiment regarding the effect of music on plant growth, the independent variable is the type of music since it is the factor she is changing to observe its impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jackie performs an experiment to discover how the type of music played in a room can affect plant growth. In her experiment, the independent variable is the type of music. The independent variable is the one that is changed or manipulated by the researcher to observe its effects on the dependent variable, which in this case is the growth of the plants. The factors that should be controlled in such an experiment to ensure consistent results include the amount of water, the amount of plant food, the amount of soil, the amount of sunshine, and the type of soil.
When designing an experiment like this, it is important to control all other variables so that any changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable. This is crucial for the credibility and validity of the experiment's results.