That's right! The factor a scientist changes during an experiment is called the independent variable.

Here's why:

* Independent because it's not influenced by anything else in the experiment. The scientist *chooses* to change it.

* Variable because it can take on different values or levels.

For example, in an experiment testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth:

* Independent Variable: The amount of fertilizer used.

* Dependent Variable: The height of the plants (what's being measured).

The scientist *manipulates* the amount of fertilizer to see how it affects plant growth.