Which term describes the factor whose effect is being studied?

Which term describes the factor whose effect is being studied?

• A. Independent variable
• B. Dependent variable
• C. Moderator
• D. Mediator

Answer: (A)

The variable whose effect you’re examining is the independent variable. In an experiment, you deliberately manipulate this factor across different conditions to see whether and how it causes changes in another variable. The outcome you measure—the result you’re interested in observing—is the dependent variable. A mediator explains the mechanism by which the independent variable affects the dependent variable, acting as an intermediary step. A moderator, on the other hand, changes the strength or direction of that relationship depending on another variable. So in this question, the factor being studied for its effect is the one you actively vary—the independent variable.

The variable whose effect you’re examining is the independent variable. In an experiment, you deliberately manipulate this factor across different conditions to see whether and how it causes changes in another variable. The outcome you measure—the result you’re interested in observing—is the dependent variable.

A mediator explains the mechanism by which the independent variable affects the dependent variable, acting as an intermediary step. A moderator, on the other hand, changes the strength or direction of that relationship depending on another variable. So in this question, the factor being studied for its effect is the one you actively vary—the independent variable.