Which variable is measured by the researcher in an experiment?

In an experiment, the variable that the researcher measures to assess the effect of the manipulation is known as the dependent variable. This variable is called "dependent" because its value depends on changes made to the independent variable. For example, if a researcher is studying the impact of different study methods on test scores, the test scores would be the dependent variable, as they are the outcomes the researcher is measuring to determine if the independent variable (the study methods) has an effect.

The other types of variables mentioned serve different purposes in the context of an experiment. The independent variable is the one that the researcher manipulates or changes, while control variables are kept constant to ensure that they do not influence the outcome. Confounding variables are extraneous factors that might affect the dependent variable inadvertently and need to be controlled or accounted for to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.