Which statement best defines a dependent variable with an example?

• A. The factor manipulated in an experiment; for example, sunlight exposure.
• B. The baseline group used for comparison.
• C. The procedure used to collect data.
• D. The outcome measured in an experiment; for example, plant growth measured in centimeters.

Answer: (D)

The outcome you measure in an experiment is the dependent variable—the result that may change in response to what you deliberately vary. Here, you change sunlight exposure (the factor you manipulate) and then record how tall the plant grows. The growth, measured in centimeters, is the dependent variable because it depends on the amount of sunlight the plant receives.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: the factor you manipulate is the independent variable, not the dependent one. A baseline group used for comparison refers to a control condition, not the outcome you measure. The procedure used to collect data describes the method, not the result. So the statement describing the measured plant growth in centimeters captures the dependent variable.