What is the term for the variable that is measured in an experiment?

The term for the variable that is measured in an experiment is the dependent variable. This variable represents the outcome or effect that researchers are interested in examining, and it is influenced by changes in the independent variable. For example, if an experiment is designed to assess how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, the growth of the plants is the dependent variable, as it is the aspect being measured and is expected to change based on the levels of sunlight provided.

In a well-structured experiment, the dependent variable helps researchers draw conclusions about the relationships between variables, allowing them to understand how manipulation of the independent variable impacts the measured outcomes. This relationship is central to the experimental design, as it enables the evaluation of hypotheses and scientific inquiry.