What is the term for variables that change indirectly in an experiment?

The term that describes variables that change indirectly in an experiment is indeed associated with the concept of dependent variables. A dependent variable is the one that researchers measure in an experiment to see how it is affected by other variables. This variable is called "dependent" because its value depends on changes made to the independent variable(s).

In the context of an experiment, as the independent variables are manipulated, the researcher looks for changes in the dependent variable. For instance, if a study examines how different amounts of fertilizer (independent variable) affect plant growth (dependent variable), the plant growth is what is being measured and is expected to change in response to varying amounts of fertilizer.

While independent variables are manipulated directly, and control variables are kept constant to prevent influencing the outcome, confounding variables are factors that could potentially confuse the results. It’s the dependent variable that reflects any changes due to the manipulation of the independent variables, making it crucial in understanding the dynamics of the experiment.