In research, variables that represent an outcome or effect are called:

Concept

Research distinguishes variables by the role they play in a relationship. An independent or explanatory variable is treated as a possible influence, while the dependent variable is the response that is measured or explained.

Thus, terms such as outcome, response, and effect refer to the dependent side of the relationship.

Application

The stem asks for the name of the variable that records an outcome or effect. That role is performed by the dependent variable, so the answer is Dependent variables.

Contrast

• Triangulation concerns the use of multiple methods, sources, investigators, or theories to corroborate a study; it is not a variable role in the cause–response relationship.

• An extraneous variable is an outside influence that is not the main explanatory variable and may need to be controlled.

• An intervening variable mediates the pathway between an explanatory variable and a response.

• A dependent variable is the response or outcome being measured or explained.

Cross-check

If a study asks whether teaching method affects test score, teaching method is the explanatory variable and test score is the measured outcome. The test score is therefore the dependent variable, confirming the classification used here.