In experimental research, the dependent variable is defined as

• A. are the outcomes or results of the variables' influence
• B. influence or affect the outcomes in experimental studies
• C. manipulate other variables
• D. distinguish between groups in a study

Answer: (A)

The dependent variable is the outcome you measure to see the effect of the experimental manipulation. In an experiment, you deliberately change something (the independent variable) and then observe how the dependent variable responds. For example, if you test how fertilizer affects plant growth, the independent variable is the amount of fertilizer, and the dependent variable is the plant growth measure (height, biomass) you record to determine the treatment’s impact. This makes the correct option the one that describes outcomes or results of the influence of the manipulated variable. The other choices describe either the factor you manipulate to influence outcomes, the act of manipulating variables, or design aspects like distinguishing groups, none of which are what you measure as the outcome.