What does the dependent variable represent in an experiment?

In the context of an experiment, the dependent variable is crucial as it represents the observed outcome that researchers are measuring to assess how it responds to changes made to the independent variable. By defining the dependent variable as the outcome, researchers can systematically analyze the effect of manipulations or interventions on this variable.

For example, if an experiment is designed to assess the impact of a specific teaching method on student performance, the dependent variable would be the students' performance scores. Changes in the independent variable (the teaching method) are hypothesized to produce variations in the dependent variable (the scores), allowing researchers to draw conclusions about the relationship between the two.

This understanding is key to evaluating the effectiveness of an experiment and ensuring that findings can be attributed to the manipulations of the independent variable, thus furthering scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice.