Experiment: What is the effect of drinking coffee on a person's score on a memory test? Which of the following would be the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?
O Coffee
O Decaf coffee
O Memory test score
O Type of cup used

The independent variable would be the coffee.

Explanation:

In an experiment, the independent variable is something that is added or changed by the scientist in order to see if there will be a response.

In this case, the memory test score would be the dependent variable (something that changes as a result of a change in the independent variable).

Decaf coffee could be a control group, or a group that is treated the same as the independent variable but without being exposed in order to account for any outside factors.

Finally, the type of cup used would be a constant between the control group (using the decaf coffee) and the experimental group (the group with regular coffee).

Hope this helps!