Compare the independent variable and dependent variable in research. See other types of variables in research, including confounding and extraneous variables. Updated: 07/25/2021 The definition of a variable in the context of a research study is some feature with the potential to change, typically one that may influence or reflect a relationship or outcome. For example, potential variables might be time it takes for something to occur, whether or not an object is used within a study, or the presence of a feature among members of the sample. Within research, independent and dependent variables are key, forming the basis on which a study is performed. However, other types of variables may come into play within a study, such as confounding variables, controlled variables, extraneous, and moderator variables. ResearchAs a researcher, you're going to perform an experiment. I'm kind of hungry right now, so let's say your experiment will examine four people's ability to throw a ball when they haven't eaten for a specific period of time - 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours. We can say that in your experiment, you are going to do something and then see what happens to other things. But, that sentence isn't very scientific. So, we're going to learn some new words to replace the unscientific ones, so we can provide a scientific explanation for what you're going to do in your experiment. The starting point here is to identify what a variable is. A variable is defined as anything that has a quantity or quality that varies. Your experiment's variables are not eating and throwing a ball. Now, let's science up that earlier statement. 'You are going to manipulate a variable to see what happens to another variable.' It still isn't quite right because we're using the blandest term for variable, and we didn't differentiate between the variables. Let's take a look at some other terms that will help us make this statement more scientific and specific.
Dependent Variables in ResearchA dependent variable is one being measured in an experiment, reflecting an outcome. Researchers do not directly control this variable. Instead, they hope to learn something about the relationship between different variables by observing how the dependent variable reacts under different circumstances. Although "dependent variable" is the most commonly used term, they may also be referred to as response variables, outcome variable, or left-hand-side variable. These alternate names help to further illustrate their purpose: a dependent variable shows a response to changes in other variables, displaying the outcome. The meaning of "left-hand-side" is less immediately transparent, but becomes more obvious when considering the format of a basic algebraic equation. Typically, the dependent variable in these is referred to as "Y" and placed on the left-hand-side of the equation. Because of this standard, dependent variables may also be called the Y variable as well, and the dependent variable is usually seen on the y-axis in graphs. One example of a dependent variable would be a student's test scores. Several factors would influence these scores, such as the amount of time spent studying, amount of sleep, or the stress levels of the student. Ultimately, the dependent variable is not static or controlled directly, but is subject to change depending on the independent variables involved. Independent Variables in ResearchAn independent variable is one that the researcher controls or otherwise manipulates within a study. In order to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables, a researcher will purposefully change an independent variable, watching to see if and how the dependent variable changes in response. The independent variable can alternately be called the explanatory, predicator, right-hand-side, or X variable. Similarly to dependent variables, these reflect the uses of independent variables, as they are intended to explain or predict changes in the dependent variables. Likewise, independent variables are often referred to as "X" in basic algebraic equations and plotted using the x-axis. In research, the experimenters will generally control independent variables as much as possible, so that they can understand their true relationship with the dependent variables. For example, a research study might use age as an independent variable, since it influences some potential dependent variables. Obviously, a researcher cannot randomly assign ages to participants, but they could only allow participants of certain ages into a study or sort a sample into desired age groups. Comparing Dependent and Independent Variables
Examples of Independent and Dependent Variables in Research StudiesMany research studies have independent and dependent variables, since understanding cause-and-effect between them is a key end goal. Some examples of research questions involving these variables include:
Coffee may affect hunger levels. To study this, coffee would be the independent variable and hunger would be the dependent variable.
Other Types of Variables in ResearchWhile the independent and dependent variables are the most commonly discussed variables in research, other variables can influence outcomes. These include confounding, extraneous, control, and moderator variables. Confounding VariablesA confounding variable, also known as a "third variable," changes the dependent variable despite not being the independent variable being studied. This can cause issues within a study. After all, since variation in a confounding variable causes a response in a dependent variable, that response may be misattributed the independent variable. In order to ensure that the observed outcome is only due to changes in independent variables, it is crucial to determine what confounding variables might sway experimental results. Dependent and Independent VariablesA moment ago, we discussed the two variables in our experiment - hunger and throwing a ball. But, they are both better defined by the terms 'dependent' or 'independent' variable. The dependent variable is the variable a researcher is interested in. The changes to the dependent variable are what the researcher is trying to measure with all their fancy techniques. In our example, your dependent variable is the person's ability to throw a ball. We're trying to measure the change in ball throwing as influenced by hunger. An independent variable is a variable believed to affect the dependent variable. This is the variable that you, the researcher, will manipulate to see if it makes the dependent variable change. In our example of hungry people throwing a ball, our independent variable is how long it's been since they've eaten. To reiterate, the independent variable is the thing over which the researcher has control and is manipulating. In this experiment, the researcher is controlling the food intake of the participant. The dependent variable is believed to be dependent on the independent variable. Your experiment's dependent variable is the ball throwing, which will hopefully change due to the independent variable. So now, our scientific sentence is, 'You are going to manipulate an independent variable to see what happens to the dependent variable.' Unwanted InfluenceSometimes, when you're studying a dependent variable, your results don't make any sense. For instance, what if people in one group are doing amazingly well while the other groups are doing about the same. This could be caused by a confounding variable, defined as an interference caused by another variable. In our unusually competent group example, the confounding variable could be that this group is made up of players from the baseball team. In our original example of hungry people throwing the ball, there are several confounding variables we need to make sure we account for. Some examples would be:
Confounding variables are a specific type of extraneous variable. Extraneous variables are defined as any variable other than the independent and dependent variable. So, a confounding variable is a variable that could strongly influence your study, while extraneous variables are weaker and typically influence your experiment in a lesser way. Some examples from our ball throwing study include: ResearchAs a researcher, you're going to perform an experiment. I'm kind of hungry right now, so let's say your experiment will examine four people's ability to throw a ball when they haven't eaten for a specific period of time - 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours. We can say that in your experiment, you are going to do something and then see what happens to other things. But, that sentence isn't very scientific. So, we're going to learn some new words to replace the unscientific ones, so we can provide a scientific explanation for what you're going to do in your experiment. The starting point here is to identify what a variable is. A variable is defined as anything that has a quantity or quality that varies. Your experiment's variables are not eating and throwing a ball. Now, let's science up that earlier statement. 'You are going to manipulate a variable to see what happens to another variable.' It still isn't quite right because we're using the blandest term for variable, and we didn't differentiate between the variables. Let's take a look at some other terms that will help us make this statement more scientific and specific. Dependent and Independent VariablesA moment ago, we discussed the two variables in our experiment - hunger and throwing a ball. But, they are both better defined by the terms 'dependent' or 'independent' variable. The dependent variable is the variable a researcher is interested in. The changes to the dependent variable are what the researcher is trying to measure with all their fancy techniques. In our example, your dependent variable is the person's ability to throw a ball. We're trying to measure the change in ball throwing as influenced by hunger. An independent variable is a variable believed to affect the dependent variable. This is the variable that you, the researcher, will manipulate to see if it makes the dependent variable change. In our example of hungry people throwing a ball, our independent variable is how long it's been since they've eaten. To reiterate, the independent variable is the thing over which the researcher has control and is manipulating. In this experiment, the researcher is controlling the food intake of the participant. The dependent variable is believed to be dependent on the independent variable. Your experiment's dependent variable is the ball throwing, which will hopefully change due to the independent variable. So now, our scientific sentence is, 'You are going to manipulate an independent variable to see what happens to the dependent variable.' Unwanted InfluenceSometimes, when you're studying a dependent variable, your results don't make any sense. For instance, what if people in one group are doing amazingly well while the other groups are doing about the same. This could be caused by a confounding variable, defined as an interference caused by another variable. In our unusually competent group example, the confounding variable could be that this group is made up of players from the baseball team. In our original example of hungry people throwing the ball, there are several confounding variables we need to make sure we account for. Some examples would be:
Confounding variables are a specific type of extraneous variable. Extraneous variables are defined as any variable other than the independent and dependent variable. So, a confounding variable is a variable that could strongly influence your study, while extraneous variables are weaker and typically influence your experiment in a lesser way. Some examples from our ball throwing study include: What is dependent and independent variable in research?The dependent variable in a research study or experiment is what is being measured in the study or experiment. The independent variable in a research study or experiment is what the researcher is changing in the study or experiment. It is the variable that is being manipulated. The independent variable is responsible for changing the dependent variable. What are variables in research examples?A variable is something that can be measured in a study or experiment. The independent and dependent variable are vital to the understanding and development of research. Create an account to start this course today Used by over 30 million students worldwide Create an account What are some examples of independent and dependent variables in research?Let's take the example of “Test Scores”. You want to see the effect of studying or sleeping on a test score. In the example, “test score” is the dependent variable. “Studying” or “sleeping” is the independent variable because these factors impact how much a student scores on the test.
What is dependent and independent variable in a research topic?The dependent variable in a research study or experiment is what is being measured in the study or experiment. The independent variable in a research study or experiment is what the researcher is changing in the study or experiment. It is the variable that is being manipulated.
How do you find the independent and dependent variable in a research title?1. Independent Variables are the manipulators or causes or influencers WHILE Dependent Variables are the results or effects or outcome. 2. Independent variables are "independent of" prior causes that act on it WHILE Dependent Variables "depend on" the cause.
What are some examples of independent and dependent variables in healthcare?For example: In a study of how different doses of a drug affect the severity of symptoms, a researcher could compare the frequency and intensity of symptoms when different doses are administered. Here the independent variable is the dose and the dependent variable is the frequency/intensity of symptoms.
What are some examples of independent and dependent variables sociology?Example of Dependent Variable
To determine the relationship between age and yearly income, age is the independent variable and yearly income is the dependent variable, because an individual's income cannot change their age but their age can change their income.
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Research topics with independent and dependent variables pdf
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