Which term refers to the factor that is observed and measured in an experiment?

The term that refers to the factor that is observed and measured in an experiment is the dependent variable. In the context of experimental research, the dependent variable is what researchers assess to determine whether there is an effect due to the manipulation of the independent variable. It is called "dependent" because its value depends on changes made to the independent variable.

For example, if a study is examining the impact of different amounts of study time on test scores, the test scores represent the dependent variable, as they are measured and are expected to change as the independent variable (study time) varies. This relationship is crucial for understanding how different factors influence observed outcomes in psychological research.