Which variable's effect is observed in an experiment?

In an experiment, the effect of the treatment or manipulation is observed through the dependent variable. This variable is the outcome that researchers measure after the manipulation of the independent variable, which is the factor that is intentionally changed in the experiment. The dependent variable reflects the results of those changes, allowing researchers to determine whether the independent variable has had an effect.

For example, if a study is investigating the impact of a new teaching method (the independent variable) on student test scores (the dependent variable), the test scores are what researchers are looking to measure and analyze to assess the effectiveness of the teaching method. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the independent and dependent variables is crucial for drawing conclusions from experimental data.