DirectProtect is an insurance provider that uses telemarketers rather than insurance agents to sell its insurance and to deal with claims. It wants to introduce its product into new markets, but before it does so, it wants to predict how successful its sales efforts will be. The marketing research firm hired to conduct the research study has six months to gather, analyze, and present its data to DirectProtect. The required time frame is an example of a:________. a. dependent variable. b. obstruction c. objective d. constraint. e. independent variable.

The dependent variable variations are explained as an effect, due to variations in causal independent variables. The dependent variable might be in form of an objective function, as a function of independent variables, which needs to be maximised or minimised. Constraint is a limitation to the objective function maximisation / minimisation.

Given case : Introducing product in new markets (through telemarketers) & conducting research about success of sales efforts - has 'Sales' as the main objective function to be maximised, dependent on independent variable like Telemarketers . Constraint could be any restriction in form of budget , time (six months time mentioned)