Which term describes a variable that can dictate the outcome of a relationship between two other variables?

A moderating variable is one that influences the strength or direction of the relationship between two other variables. In the context of research, this means that the presence or level of the moderating variable can change how one variable affects another. For instance, if you are studying the relationship between stress and performance, a moderating variable could be the level of social support; high levels of social support might weaken the negative impact of stress on performance.

In research methodology, understanding moderating variables is essential because they can reveal more complex dynamics in relationships among variables. By identifying and testing for moderating variables, researchers can gain insights into the circumstances under which certain effects hold true or differ, which contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the phenomena being studied.