IV in research stands for which of the following?

• A. Intervening variable
• B. Inferred variable
• C. Independent variable
• D. Intrinsic variable

Answer: (C)

The independent variable is the factor the researcher deliberately manipulates to observe its effect on the outcome. Its value is controlled by the experimenter and is not determined by other variables in the study, which is why it’s called independent. For example, varying study time to see its effect on exam scores shows study time as the independent variable, while the exam score is the dependent variable—the outcome you measure. An intervening variable (mediator) explains how or why the independent variable affects the dependent variable, not what you manipulate. Terms like inferred variable or intrinsic variable aren’t standard labels for the variable you control.