Which of the following is considered a dependent variable in research?

In research, the dependent variable is the variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of manipulations made to the independent variable. It represents the outcome that researchers assess in an experiment to determine if there is an effect or relationship due to changes in the independent variable.

The correct answer is the measured outcome because it directly reflects the effects of the experimental conditions. Researchers manipulate one or more independent variables and observe how these changes affect the dependent variable, which provides insight into the research hypothesis. For example, if a study examines the effect of a new teaching method on student performance, the students' test scores (the measured outcome) would serve as the dependent variable, reflecting the impact of the teaching method on learning effectiveness.

The other options refer to different components of an experiment. The manipulated variable refers to the independent variable being tested, while control variables are kept constant to eliminate their influence on the outcome. Extraneous variables, on the other hand, can introduce error into the research findings but are not the focus of the experiment itself. Understanding this distinction is essential for comprehending how variables interact in experimental research.