Dependent Variable

Definition

The dependent variable is what changes when the independent variable changes - it's what you're interested in measuring as a result of your experiment.

Analogy

Using our restaurant analogy, if our chef (independent variable) decides to change his recipe, we might measure customer satisfaction (dependent variable) based on this change.

Related terms

Outcome Variable: Another name for dependent variable; it refers to what is being measured in an experiment.

Baseline Measure: This refers to data collected before experimental manipulation begins. It provides a comparison point for assessing changes due to experimental manipulation.

Operational Definition: A clear, concise detailed definition of a measure. It allows others understand exactly how and what a researcher measures in a particular experiment.