1. Dependent v. Independent Variables
What’s the difference?

2. What is a Variable? Simply, something that varies.
Variables represent things that can be manipulated, controlled, or measured for the sake of research.
4th period starts

3. Examples of Variables
Recently, I decided to bake a cake. Since I didn’t have a recipe, I decided to make one up.
Variables that may have played a part in my resulting disaster could include:
Not enough sugar
Too much flour
Forgot to add baking soda
Baked too long
Is a dozen eggs too many for 1 cake?
Others??

4. Independent Variables
Scientists manipulate these variables as they see fit.
They still vary, but the variation is relatively known or taken into account.

5. Independent Variables
Data table: Left side
Graph: X axis
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable

6. Dependent Variables
Not manipulated by the person conducting the experiment directly.
These vary in relation to the independent variables
Always measured.

7. Dependent Variables Data table: Right side Graph: Y axis
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Period 2

8. Independent V. Dependent
Intentionally manipulated
Value is known
Vary at known rate
Cause
Data table: Left side
Graph: X axis
Not manipulated by scientist directly
Measured
Vary at unknown rate
Effect
Data table: Right side
Graph: Y axis

9. Example: What variables affect a student’s arrival to class?
Type of School
Liberals Arts v. University
Type of Student
Athlete? Gender? GPA?
Time
Bedtime, Waking, Arrival
Mode of Transportation
Period 5