Difference between dependent and independent variables in research

The process of examining a research problem in the social and behavioral sciences is often framed around methods of analysis that compare, contrast, correlate, average, or integrate relationships between or among variables. Techniques include associations, sampling, random selection, and blind selection. Designation of the dependent and independent variable involves unpacking the research problem in a way that identifies a general cause and effect and classifying these variables as either independent or dependent.

Table of Contents Show

Comparison Chart
Definition of Independent Variable
Definition of Dependent Variable
Key Differences Between Independent and Dependent Variable
Video: Independent Vs Dependent Variable
What is the difference between dependent and independent variables give examples?
What is the difference between dependent and independent?

The variables should be outlined in the introduction of your paper and explained in more detail in the methods section. There are no rules about the structure and style for writing about independent or dependent variables but, as with any academic writing, clarity and being succinct is most important.

After you have described the research problem and its significance in relation to prior research, explain why you have chosen to examine the problem using a method of analysis that investigates the relationships between or among independent and dependent variables. State what it is about the research problem that lends itself to this type of analysis. For example, if you are investigating the relationship between corporate environmental sustainability efforts [the independent variable] and dependent variables associated with measuring employee satisfaction at work using a survey instrument, you would first identify each variable and then provide background information about the variables. What is meant by "environmental sustainability"? Are you looking at a particular company [e.g., General Motors] or are you investigating an industry [e.g., the meat packing industry]? Why is employee satisfaction in the workplace important? How does a company make their employees aware of sustainability efforts and why would a company even care that its employees know about these efforts?

Identify each variable for the reader and define each. In the introduction, this information can be presented in a paragraph or two when you describe how you are going to study the research problem. In the methods section, you build on the literature review of prior studies about the research problem to describe in detail background about each variable, breaking each down for measurement and analysis. For example, what activities do you examine that reflect a company's commitment to environmental sustainability? Levels of employee satisfaction can be measured by a survey that asks about things like volunteerism or a desire to stay at the company for a long time.

The structure and writing style of describing the variables and their application to analyzing the research problem should be stated and unpacked in such a way that the reader obtains a clear understanding of the relationships between the variables and why they are important. This is also important so that the study can be replicated in the future using the same variables but applied in a different way.

Fan, Shihe. "Independent Variable." In Encyclopedia of Research Design. Neil J. Salkind, editor. (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2010), pp. 592-594; "What are Dependent and Independent Variables?" Graphic Tutorial; “Case Example for Independent and Dependent Variables.” ORI Curriculum Examples. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Research Integrity; Salkind, Neil J. "Dependent Variable." In Encyclopedia of Research Design, Neil J. Salkind, editor. (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2010), pp. 348-349; “Independent Variables and Dependent Variables.” Karl L. Wuensch, Department of Psychology, East Carolina University [posted email exchange]; “Variables.” Elements of Research. Dr. Camille Nebeker, San Diego State University.

In statistics, the most often used word is ‘variable’ which refers to a characteristic that contains the value, which may vary from one entity to another. It is similar to the variables used in other disciplines like science and mathematics. The two most common types of variable are the dependent variable and independent variable. A variable is said to be independent, whose change influence another variable, while if the variable is dependent, it will change in response to the change in some other variable.

The dependence of the former on the latter is being examined by the statistical models. So, here in this article, we are going to discuss some important points of difference between independent and dependent variable.

Comparison Chart
Definition
Key Differences
Video
Example
Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Independent Variable	Dependent Variable
Meaning	Independent Variable is one whose values are deliberately changed by the researcher in order to obtain a desired outcome.	Dependent Variable refers to a variable which changes its values in order to reciprocate change in the values of independent variable.
What is it?	Antecedent	Consequent
Relationship	Presumed cause	Observed effect
Regarded as	Experiment Controller	Experiment Measure
Values	Manipulated by the researcher.	Measured by the researcher.
Usually denoted by	x	y

Definition of Independent Variable

As its name suggests, an independent variable is one which remains unaffected by other variables. Alternately known as the predictor variable, explanatory variable, controlled variable. It is a variable; the researcher has control over its selection and manipulation, i.e. the levels can be changed, or it changes on its own due to circumstances. Moreover, its effect on other variables is measured and compared.

Definition of Dependent Variable

A dependent variable is a consequence of an independent variable i.e. it is variable that measures the effect of the independent variable on the test units. It is also known as the criterion or measured variable.

It is something that the experimenter observes during an experiment and is influenced by the experiment. It is expected to change in response to some other factors. The revised value of the dependent value depends on the independent variable.

Key Differences Between Independent and Dependent Variable

The significant differences between independent and dependent variable are explained in the following points:

The variable whose values are deliberately changed by the researcher in order to obtain the desired outcome is called an independent variable. The variable, which changes its values in order to reciprocate change in the values of the independent variable is called the dependent variable.
The values of the independent variable can be changed as per requirement, by the researcher. Conversely, the value of the independent variables is unchangeable.
Manipulation can be done in the values of the independent variable, but the researcher observes the value of a dependent variable during an experiment.
The independent variable is known as the experiment controller in an experiment, whereas, the dependent variable is also known as experiment measure.
An independent variable is a presumed cause whereas the dependent variable is a measured effect.
In simple linear regression, ‘y’ denotes dependent variable while ‘x’ denotes independent variable, which means y depends on x.

Video: Independent Vs Dependent Variable

Example

Suppose you want to check the height of a normal at different ages. So here the dependent variable is height, while the independent variable is the age, which is going to change on its own.

Hence, here the height of the boy is shown on the y-axis, whereas x-axis indicates the age.

Conclusion

There can be multiple dependent variables for one independent variable. In a scientific experiment, the independent variables are controlled or changed whereas the dependent variables tend to be measured and tested. An independent variable is the one that does not rely on anything else and hence can be manipulated, while the dependent shows the effect, of changes made to the independent variable.

What is the difference between dependent and independent variables give examples?

A dependent variable depends on an independent variable, while an independent variable depends on external manipulation. For example, when measuring how the speed of a car will affect the time it will take to reach a certain place, the time taken (dependent variable) depends on the speed (independent variable).

What is the difference between dependent and independent?

The difference is that the value of the independent variable is controlled by the experimenter, while the value of the dependent variable only changes in response to the independent variable.