In research, which variable is assumed to be a cause in relationships studied?

In research, the independent variable is assumed to be the cause in the relationships studied. This is because the independent variable is manipulated or altered by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable. By establishing this cause-and-effect relationship, researchers can determine how changes in the independent variable influence outcomes measured by the dependent variable.

The independent variable serves as the foundation for testing hypotheses and drawing conclusions about relationships within the data. For example, if a researcher is investigating how changes in advertising spend (independent variable) affect sales (dependent variable), the focus is on understanding how adjustments to the advertising budget influence sales performance.

In contrast, the dependent variable represents the outcome that is measured and analyzed to assess the impact of the independent variable. Extraneous variables are other factors that might affect the dependent variable, potentially confounding the results. Control variables are factors that researchers keep constant to isolate the effect of the independent variable. Thus, understanding the role of the independent variable is essential for conducting effective research and interpreting its findings accurately.