What is the process of identifying specific values of the independent variable to assess different treatment conditions called?

The process of identifying specific values of the independent variable to assess different treatment conditions is known as manipulation. In experimental research, the independent variable is the factor that researchers change or manipulate to observe its effect on the dependent variable. By setting specific levels or categories of the independent variable, researchers can systematically test how variations in that factor influence outcomes, allowing for causal inferences and a clearer understanding of the relationship between variables.

Manipulation is critical because it directly ties to the core of experimental design, where establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship is essential. This process provides a framework for comparing results across different treatment conditions, which helps to validate the conclusions drawn from the experiment. The other options relate to different aspects of research but do not specifically address the act of determining values for the independent variable in the context of the experiment.