In psychological research, the outcome variable is also known as what?

In psychological research, the outcome variable is known as the dependent variable. This term refers to the variable that researchers measure to assess the effects of the independent variable. In an experiment, the dependent variable is what changes or is expected to change in response to variations in the independent variable, which is actively manipulated by the researcher.

For example, if a study is investigating the effect of different study methods on test scores, the test scores would be the dependent variable since they depend on the specific study methods used. The goal is to determine how the changes in the independent variable influence the resultant changes in the dependent variable. This concept is fundamental in research design because it allows for the evaluation of causal relationships between variables. Understanding this distinction helps clarify the structure and interpretation of experimental studies.