How to determine independent and dependent variables
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To understand the concept of independent and dependent variables, one should understand the meaning of variables. Variables are defined as the properties or kinds of characteristics of certain events or objects. Show
Independent variables are variables that are manipulated or are changed by researchers and whose effects are measured and compared. The other name for independent variables is Predictor(s). The independent variables are called as such because independent variables predict or forecast the values of the dependent variable in the model. The groups are along the horizontal axis, while the dependent variable, learning outcomes, is on the vertical. From the graph, method 4 has the best results. A one-way ANOVA will tell you whether these results are statistically significant. Learn more about interpreting boxplots. Now, imagine that you are studying people’s height and weight. Specifically, do height increases cause weight to increase? Consequently, height is the independent variable on the horizontal axis, and weight is the dependent variable on the vertical axis. You can use a scatterplot to display this type of data. It appears that as height increases, weight tends to increase. Regression analysis will tell you if these results are statistically significant. Learn more about interpreting scatterplots. How did you identify the dependent variable?One way to help identify the dependent variable is to remember that it depends on the independent variable. When researchers make changes to the independent variable, they then measure any resulting changes to the dependent variable.
What is independent variable and dependent variable examples?For example, one study might assess how the amount of exercise (IV) affects health (DV). However, another study might study the factors (IVs) that influence how much someone exercises (DV). The amount of exercise is an independent variable in one study but a dependent variable in the other!
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