Dependent Variable
Definition
The variable that is measured in a study to see the effect of the independent variable.
Example
A researcher wants to study the effects of a new form of therapy on people experiencing anxiety. A sample is selected and randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. The independent variable is the new form of therapy. The dependent variable is the level of anxiety each participant reports after the therapy — it’s what the researcher is measuring to see if the therapy had any effect.
Why It Matters
The dependent variable is the heart of what a researcher is trying to understand. It’s the thing we’re measuring to see if our idea or treatment actually works. Knowing how to identify the dependent variable helps us ask better research questions, interpret results clearly, and avoid confusion about what a study is really showing.
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