Question

Which choice best describes an independent variable in a scientific investigation?
Responses

An independent variable is the one variable changed and tested by a scientist in a scientific investigation.
An independent variable is the one variable changed and tested by a scientist in a scientific investigation.

An independent variable is an educated guess that a scientist makes after observing something interesting.
An independent variable is an educated guess that a scientist makes after observing something interesting.

An independent variable is one part of the hypothesis a scientist writes prior to beginning a scientific investigation.
An independent variable is one part of the hypothesis a scientist writes prior to beginning a scientific investigation.

An independent variable is the fastest way to measure the success of a scientific investigation.

Answer 1

The choice that best describes an independent variable in a scientific investigation is:

**An independent variable is the one variable changed and tested by a scientist in a scientific investigation.**

This definition highlights the role of the independent variable as the factor that is manipulated to observe its effects on other variables.