DV in research stands for which of the following?

• A. Discrete variable
• B. Dependent variable
• C. Diagnostic variable
• D. Derivative variable

Answer: (B)

In research design, DV stands for the dependent variable—the outcome that researchers measure to see how it changes in response to the factor they manipulate. The dependent variable reflects effects of the experimental conditions, so it’s the result you observe and analyze. For example, if you study whether study time influences test scores, the test score is the dependent variable because it depends on how long participants studied.

The other terms don’t fit because they describe different ideas: a discrete variable is a type of data, not a standard label for DV; diagnostic variable and derivative variable aren’t the conventional terms used to name the outcome being measured in experiments.