Independent and Dependent Variables (Jump to: Lecture | Video )

Independent Variable

An independent variable is any variable that is being manipulated.

Dependent Variable

A dependent variable any variable that is being measured.

Imagine that researchers want to test the effectiveness of a new weight loss medication. They split participants into three groups: one group gets a 0mg dosage (control), one group gets a 50mg dosage, and the last group gets a 100mg dosage. After six months, the participants’ weights are measured.

What are the independent and dependent variables in this experiment?

The independent variable would be dosage, because dosage is being manipulated.

The dependent variable would be weight, because weight is being measured.


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