The responding variable is what you are __ based on the changes of the manipulated variable.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The responding variable is what you are measuring based on the changes of the manipulated variable.
In a scientific experiment, variables are typically divided into three main categories: independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled (constant).
- Manipulated Variable (Independent Variable): This is the variable that you, the experimenter, intentionally change or manipulate to observe its effect. For example, in an experiment where you test how the amount of light affects plant growth, the manipulated variable would be the amount of light (how much light the plants receive).
- Responding Variable (Dependent Variable): This is the variable that you measure to see how it responds to changes in the manipulated variable. The responding variable depends on the independent variable. In the plant growth experiment, the responding variable would be the height of the plant, or how much it grows in response to the different amounts of light it receives.
- Controlled Variables (Constants): These are variables that must remain unchanged throughout the experiment to ensure that the results are due to the manipulated variable alone. In the same experiment, you would control factors like the type of plant, the soil, and the amount of water, since these could also affect plant growth.
In short, the responding variable is dependent on the manipulated variable, and it’s the one that you measure to determine how the change in the manipulated variable affects it. By keeping other variables constant, you ensure that the changes you observe are solely because of the independent variable.
