In an experiment, a dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested. It is the outcome that you are interested in measuring, and it "depends" on the independent variable. The dependent variable changes as a result of the independent variable manipulation. In other words, it is the variable that responds to the independent variable. Dependent variables are also called response variables, outcome variables, or left-hand-side variables.

To determine the dependent variable in a study, you should look for characteristics or keywords that identify it. Dependent variables depend on other variables, and they are sometimes called the "response," the "symptoms," or the "outcome". They are often the focus of the research study. In contrast, independent variables are not affected by any other variables that the study measures. They are the variables that are manipulated or varied in an experimental study to explore their effects.

In summary, a dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment, and it depends on the independent variable. It is the outcome that you are interested in measuring, and it responds to the independent variable.