Types of variables in research – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B, C and E correctly define important kinds of variables in research, while statement D is wrong. Statement A is true because the independent variable is manipulated or selected by the researcher to see its effect on the dependent variable. Statement B correctly identifies the dependent variable as the outcome that is expected to change when the independent variable is varied, and statement C accurately describes extraneous variables as influences on the dependent variable that are not of primary interest. Statement E is also correct since moderator variables interact with the independent and dependent variables to modify the strength or direction of their relationship, whereas statement D is false because control of extraneous variables is important irrespective of sample size.

Option A:
Option A treats both B and D as wrong, but this is not accurate. While D is indeed incorrect, B is a correct description of the dependent variable as the outcome that responds to changes in the independent variable. By misclassifying a true statement as wrong, this option fails to identify the wrong statement set properly and therefore cannot be the correct answer.

Option B:
Option B classifies C and D as wrong statements. Although D is wrong, C is correct because extraneous variables are exactly those variables that may unintentionally influence the dependent variable even though they are not the main focus of the study. Since this option marks a correct statement as wrong and omits the correct status of A, B and E, it is invalid.

Option C:
Option C combines A, B and D and implicitly treats all three as wrong. Both A and B are actually accurate definitions of independent and dependent variables, respectively. Including these correct statements with D, which is wrong, leads to an incorrect grouping of wrong statements, so this option cannot be chosen.

Option D:
Option D correctly identifies D as the only wrong statement. It recognises that even large samples cannot substitute for proper control of extraneous variables because uncontrolled influences can still bias results. By leaving A, B, C and E untouched as correct statements and singling out D, this option best answers the instruction to select the wrong statements.