How do an independent variable and a dependent variable differ in a scientific investigation?

Question

Responses

A dependent variable is the part of the experiment that a scientist changes, and the independent variable is the part which may be affected by the change.
A dependent variable is the part of the experiment that a scientist changes, and the independent variable is the part which may be affected by the change.

An independent variable is the part of the experiment that a scientist tests the most, and the dependent variable is the part that the scientist tests the least.
An independent variable is the part of the experiment that a scientist tests the most, and the dependent variable is the part that the scientist tests the least.

An independent variable is the part of the experiment that a scientist changes, and the dependent variable is the part which may be affected by the change.
An independent variable is the part of the experiment that a scientist changes, and the dependent variable is the part which may be affected by the change.

An independent variable is tested in the first round of an experiment, and a dependent variable is tested in the second round.
An independent variable is tested in the first round of an experiment, and a dependent variable is tested in the second round.

Answer 1

The correct distinction between an independent variable and a dependent variable in a scientific investigation is:

An independent variable is the part of the experiment that a scientist changes, and the dependent variable is the part which may be affected by the change.

This means that the independent variable is what the researcher manipulates to observe the potential effects on the dependent variable, which is measured or recorded in response to changes in the independent variable. The other options provided are inaccurate or misleading.