A study method used to measure causal relationships by manipulating an independent variable

The variable that is affected by the manipulation of the independent variable

The condition or group that researchers manipulate; it is not affected by other variables

A study method where variables are described but not manipulated, so causality cannot be measured

A specific intervention or level of the independent variable applied to participants in an experiment

Other variables (noise/confounding) that can affect the dependent variable; researchers try to control these

A comparison condition that does not receive the active treatment or intervention, or receives a placebo