In a study on custards, which variable would be considered the dependent variable?

In research studies, the dependent variable is the outcome or response that is measured to see how it is affected by changes in the independent variable. In the context of the custard study, the dependent variable is the "cooked custard." This is because the quality, texture, and overall result of the custard are what the researcher is measuring based on the manipulation of other variables, such as the amounts of ingredients or cooking conditions.

The characteristics of the cooked custard, including its consistency and flavor, depend on how the recipe is executed and the specific environmental conditions applied during cooking. Therefore, it serves as the primary focus of the study, reflecting the effectiveness of the other variables (the independent variables). In contrast, the amounts of ingredients, temperature of the oven, and time of cooking are all factors that might influence the final product but are not the outcomes being measured directly. Instead, they are inputs into the process that will help determine the final quality of the cooked custard.