Difference between Dependent Variable and Independent Variable

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Key Takeaways

  • The dependent variable vs independent variable in research or psychology research portrays the prime difference between a dependent and independent variable significant in the experimental investigations.The independent variable is not affected positively or negatively in response to changes in other variables in the study.The dependent variable depends on the independent variable. Therefore, a change in the independent variable can cause a change in the dependent variable.Researchers manipulate and control independent variables to study how the dependent variables react to them. Essentially, the independent variable is the cause, and the dependent variable manifests the effect.

Comparative Table

What is a Dependent Variable?

A dependent variable is an element in a study, research, or statistical model that depends on a specific independent variable. It is also known as the outcome variable since it is the outcome that the researchers seek and measure using an independent variable. It is an important input in defining the result of an experiment. A dependent variable is dynamic and therefore showcases the change, effect, impact, or influence of the change made in the independent variable.

A simple example of a dependent variable in a study will be the calories burnt in a workout session; here, the calories are a dependent variable because it depends on the workout, whereas the training itself is an independent variable and stands alone. Any change or manipulation in the activity, like time duration, type of exercise, amount of effort, etc., influences or changes the dependent variable.

What is an Independent Variable?

The independent variable is the standalone element in an experiment and does not respond to or depend on any other element. It represents the cause behind any change being measured or consequences in the research model. It is utilized to explore its impact, influence, and change reflected in or exhibited by the dependent variable.

For example, in an experiment to see how different types of food fed to a man affect his body and health, the food tried is categorized into healthy and unhealthy food. Here health is the dependent variable shaped by the independent variable, the food provided. It is clear that the human is the model or system in which both variables operate, and the analyst measures the output variable, health.

Dependent Variable vs Independent Variable – Infographics

Similarities

  • Both variables change at almost the same time. So, plotting an independent variable vs dependent variable graph will not give a line perpendicular to the x-axis or y-axis.Both variables are not constants. For instance, in an independent variable vs dependent variable example from the retail sector, the value of retailers formed in the mind of consumers is a dependent variable that changes with independent variables like price, assortment, and convenience.Both are equally important in solving research problems. The dependent variable manifests the effect, and the independent variable represents the cause.An experimental investigation can have more than one dependent and independent variable.

This has been a Guide to what is dependent variable vs independent variable. We explain its differences, examples, & application in research & psychology. You can learn more about them from the following articles –

  • Linear RegressionInferential StatisticsResidual sum of squares