Independent Variable
Definition
The independent variable is the factor in an experiment that a researcher manipulates to see if it has any effect on the outcome.
Analogy
Think of the independent variable as the chef in a restaurant. The chef decides what ingredients to use and how to cook them, which will ultimately affect the taste of the dish (the outcome).
Related terms
Manipulated Variable: This is another term for independent variable, referring to the element that is changed or controlled in an experiment.
Control Group: This is a group in an experiment that does not receive treatment by researchers and is then used as a benchmark to measure how other tested subjects do.
Experimental Group: This group receives the treatment or manipulation from researchers in an experiment.
"Independent Variable" appears in:
Practice Questions (2)
Identify the independent variable in the following hypothesis: Children with abusive parents are more likely to abuse drugs.
Ben thinks students will answer questions printed on yellow paper more quickly than those printed on blue paper. All study participants will take three tests will 35 multiple choice questions each. The independent variable in Ben's experiment is ...
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