What is another term commonly used for the dependent variable?

The term "outcome variable" is commonly used as a synonym for the dependent variable in research. The dependent variable is the main focus of a study, as it is the variable that researchers aim to measure the effects of an independent variable upon. When conducting research, scholars often refer to this variable as the outcome variable because it represents the outcome or effect that results from manipulating or changing the independent variable.

By measuring the outcome variable, researchers can determine the impacts of various interventions or conditions, which is critical in fields such as social work where understanding these outcomes can inform practice and policy. This terminology reinforces the idea that the dependent variable is the result that is being assessed, further emphasizing its role in evaluating the effectiveness of different strategies or treatments.