What is the term for a variable that is manipulated in an experiment?

The term for a variable that is manipulated in an experiment is the independent variable. This is because the independent variable is the factor that researchers intentionally change in order to observe its effects on another variable, known as the dependent variable. By manipulating the independent variable, scientists can determine if it causes any changes or effects in the dependent variable, which is measured in the experiment. Understanding the role of the independent variable is crucial for establishing cause-and-effect relationships in scientific research.

Control variables are conditions that are kept constant during the experiment to ensure that any changes in the dependent variable are solely due to the manipulation of the independent variable. Confounding variables are external influences that can affect the outcome of the experiment, thereby obscuring the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. These distinctions are important for designing valid experiments and interpreting their results.