Dependent v. Independent Variables What’s the difference?

Key Terms Independent Variable Dependent Variable

What is a Variable? Simply, something that varies. Specifically, variables represent persons or objects that can be manipulated, controlled, or merely measured for the sake of research. Variation: How much a variable changes. Those with very little variation are called constants.

Examples of Variables When you arrived at school on the first day of school, some variables you encountered might have been: Location of your homeroom. Assigned lunch period Placement of your locker.

Independent Variables These variables are ones that are more or less controlled by the researcher. Scientists choose to manipulate these variables during their experiment. Their variation is relatively known or taken into account.

Dependent Variables Dependent variables are not controlled or manipulated in any way, but instead are simply measured or recorded. These vary because of the independent variables. There can be any number of dependent variables, but usually there is one to follow during the experiment.

Independent V. Dependent Intentionally manipulated Controlled Vary at known rate Cause Intentionally left alone Recorded Vary at unknown rate Effect