What term refers to a factor in an experimental investigation that is changed to test a hypothesis?

What term refers to a factor in an experimental investigation that is changed to test a hypothesis?

• A. Tested Variable
• B. Independent Variable
• C. Control Variable
• D. Dependent Variable

Answer: (A)

Changing a specific factor to test a hypothesis is about the independent variable. In an experiment, you deliberately set or vary the independent variable to see how it affects the outcome, which is the dependent variable that you measure. The other factors you keep the same to prevent them from influencing the result are control variables. For example, if you’re testing how different amounts of light affect how tall bean sprouts grow, the amount of light is the independent variable and the sprout height is the dependent variable, while soil, water, and temperature are kept constant as control variables. The label “Tested Variable” isn’t the standard term scientists use; the common and precise name is independent variable.

Changing a specific factor to test a hypothesis is about the independent variable. In an experiment, you deliberately set or vary the independent variable to see how it affects the outcome, which is the dependent variable that you measure. The other factors you keep the same to prevent them from influencing the result are control variables. For example, if you’re testing how different amounts of light affect how tall bean sprouts grow, the amount of light is the independent variable and the sprout height is the dependent variable, while soil, water, and temperature are kept constant as control variables. The label “Tested Variable” isn’t the standard term scientists use; the common and precise name is independent variable.