Dependent and independent variables
Encyclopedia
The terms "dependent variable" and "independent variable" are used in similar but subtly different ways in mathematics
and statistics
as part of the standard terminology in those subjects. They are used to distinguish between two types of quantities being considered, separating them into those available at the start of a process and those being created by it, where the latter (dependent variables) are dependent on the former (independent variables).
intake (how much vitamin C one consumes) can influence the dependent variable of life expectancy (the average age one attains). Over some period of time, scientists will control the vitamin C intake in a substantial group of people. One part of the group will be given a daily high dose of vitamin C, and the remainder will be given a placebo pill (so that they are unaware of not belonging to the first group) without vitamin C. The scientists will investigate if there is any statistically significant difference in the life span of the people who took the high dose and those who took the placebo (no dose). The goal is to see if the independent variable of high vitamin C dosage has a correlation with the dependent variable of people's life span. The designation independent/dependent is clear in this case, because if a correlation is found, it cannot be that life span has influenced vitamin C intake, but an influence in the other direction is possible.
because their values vary. Call the terms, for example, x and y. If every value of x is associated with exactly one value of y, then y is said to be a function of x. It is customary to use x for what is called the "independent variable," and y for what is called the "dependent variable" because its value depends on the value of x. Therefore,
means that y, the dependent variable, is the square of x, the independent variable.
The most common way to denote a "function
" is to replace y, the dependent variable, by
, where f is the first letter of the word "function." Thus, 
means that y, a dependent variable, a function of x, is the square of x. Also, in this form, the expression is called an "explicit" function of x, contrasted with 
, which is called an "implicit" function.
In the design of experiments
, an independent variable's values are controlled or selected by the experimenter to determine its relationship to an observed
phenomenon (i.e., the dependent variable). In such an experiment, an attempt is made to find evidence that the values of the independent variable determine the values of the dependent variable. The independent variable can be changed as required, and its values do not represent a problem requiring explanation in an analysis, but are taken simply as given. The dependent variable, on the other hand, usually cannot be directly controlled.
Controlled variables are also important to identify in experiments. They are the variables that are kept constant to prevent their influence on the effect of the independent variable on the dependent. Every experiment has a controlling variable, and it is necessary to not change it, or the results of the experiment won't be valid.
"Extraneous variables" are those that might affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Extraneous variables are usually not theoretically interesting. They are measured in order for the experimenter to compensate for them. For example, an experimenter who wishes to measure the degree to which caffeine intake (the independent variable) influences explicit recall for a word list (the dependent variable) might also measure the participant's age (extraneous variable). She can then use these age data to control for the uninteresting effect of age, clarifying the relationship between caffeine and memory.
In summary:
Depending on the context, an independent variable is also known as a "predictor variable," "regressor," "controlled variable," "manipulated variable," "explanatory variable," "exposure variable," and/or "input variable."
A dependent variable is also known as a "response variable," "regressand," "measured variable," "observed variable," "responding variable," "explained variable," "outcome variable," "experimental variable," and/or "output variable."
In addition, some special types of statistical analysis use terminology more relevant to the specific context. For example reliability theory
uses the term exposure variable for what would otherwise be an explanatory or independent variable, and medical statistics
may use the term risk factor
.
They refer to already existing characters of the subject participating in the study, such as gender, age, intelligence, physical or psychiatric disorder, and any personality attribute and any personality attribute one can name. When using subject variables in a study, the researcher cannot manipulate them directly but must select subjects for the different conditions by virtue of the characteristics they already have.
For more information, see Quasi-experiment
.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
as part of the standard terminology in those subjects. They are used to distinguish between two types of quantities being considered, separating them into those available at the start of a process and those being created by it, where the latter (dependent variables) are dependent on the former (independent variables).
Simplified example
The independent variable is typically the variable representing the value being manipulated or changed and the dependent variable is the observed result of the independent variable being manipulated. For example concerning nutrition, the independent variable of daily vitamin CVitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...
intake (how much vitamin C one consumes) can influence the dependent variable of life expectancy (the average age one attains). Over some period of time, scientists will control the vitamin C intake in a substantial group of people. One part of the group will be given a daily high dose of vitamin C, and the remainder will be given a placebo pill (so that they are unaware of not belonging to the first group) without vitamin C. The scientists will investigate if there is any statistically significant difference in the life span of the people who took the high dose and those who took the placebo (no dose). The goal is to see if the independent variable of high vitamin C dosage has a correlation with the dependent variable of people's life span. The designation independent/dependent is clear in this case, because if a correlation is found, it cannot be that life span has influenced vitamin C intake, but an influence in the other direction is possible.
Use in mathematics
In traditional calculus, a function is defined as a relation between two terms called variablesVariable (mathematics)
In mathematics, a variable is a value that may change within the scope of a given problem or set of operations. In contrast, a constant is a value that remains unchanged, though often unknown or undetermined. The concepts of constants and variables are fundamental to many areas of mathematics and...
because their values vary. Call the terms, for example, x and y. If every value of x is associated with exactly one value of y, then y is said to be a function of x. It is customary to use x for what is called the "independent variable," and y for what is called the "dependent variable" because its value depends on the value of x. Therefore,
means that y, the dependent variable, is the square of x, the independent variable.The most common way to denote a "function
Function (mathematics)
In mathematics, a function associates one quantity, the argument of the function, also known as the input, with another quantity, the value of the function, also known as the output. A function assigns exactly one output to each input. The argument and the value may be real numbers, but they can...
" is to replace y, the dependent variable, by
, where f is the first letter of the word "function." Thus, means that y, a dependent variable, a function of x, is the square of x. Also, in this form, the expression is called an "explicit" function of x, contrasted with , which is called an "implicit" function.Controlled experiments
In a statistics experiment, the dependent variable is the event studied and expected to change whenever the independent variable is altered.In the design of experiments
Design of experiments
In general usage, design of experiments or experimental design is the design of any information-gathering exercises where variation is present, whether under the full control of the experimenter or not. However, in statistics, these terms are usually used for controlled experiments...
, an independent variable's values are controlled or selected by the experimenter to determine its relationship to an observed
Observation
Observation is either an activity of a living being, such as a human, consisting of receiving knowledge of the outside world through the senses, or the recording of data using scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during this activity...
phenomenon (i.e., the dependent variable). In such an experiment, an attempt is made to find evidence that the values of the independent variable determine the values of the dependent variable. The independent variable can be changed as required, and its values do not represent a problem requiring explanation in an analysis, but are taken simply as given. The dependent variable, on the other hand, usually cannot be directly controlled.
Controlled variables are also important to identify in experiments. They are the variables that are kept constant to prevent their influence on the effect of the independent variable on the dependent. Every experiment has a controlling variable, and it is necessary to not change it, or the results of the experiment won't be valid.
"Extraneous variables" are those that might affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Extraneous variables are usually not theoretically interesting. They are measured in order for the experimenter to compensate for them. For example, an experimenter who wishes to measure the degree to which caffeine intake (the independent variable) influences explicit recall for a word list (the dependent variable) might also measure the participant's age (extraneous variable). She can then use these age data to control for the uninteresting effect of age, clarifying the relationship between caffeine and memory.
In summary:
- Independent variables answer the question "What do I change?"
- Dependent variables answer the question "What do I observe?"
- Controlled variables answer the question "What do I keep the same?"
- Extraneous variables answer the question "What uninteresting variables might mediate the effect of the IV on the DV?"
Alternative terminology in statistics
In statistics, the dependent/independent variable terminology is used more widely than just in relation to controlled experiments. For example the data analysis of two jointly varying quantities may involve treating each in turn as the dependent variable and the other as the independent variable. However, for general usage, the pair response variable and explanatory variable is preferable as quantities treated as "independent variables" are rarely statistically independent.Depending on the context, an independent variable is also known as a "predictor variable," "regressor," "controlled variable," "manipulated variable," "explanatory variable," "exposure variable," and/or "input variable."
A dependent variable is also known as a "response variable," "regressand," "measured variable," "observed variable," "responding variable," "explained variable," "outcome variable," "experimental variable," and/or "output variable."
In addition, some special types of statistical analysis use terminology more relevant to the specific context. For example reliability theory
Reliability theory
Reliability theory describes the probability of a system completing its expected function during an interval of time. It is the basis of reliability engineering, which is an area of study focused on optimizing the reliability, or probability of successful functioning, of systems, such as airplanes,...
uses the term exposure variable for what would otherwise be an explanatory or independent variable, and medical statistics
Medical statistics
Medical statistics deals with applications of statistics to medicine and the health sciences, including epidemiology, public health, forensic medicine, and clinical research...
may use the term risk factor
Risk factor
In epidemiology, a risk factor is a variable associated with an increased risk of disease or infection. Sometimes, determinant is also used, being a variable associated with either increased or decreased risk.-Correlation vs causation:...
.
Examples
- If one were to measure the influence of different quantities of fertilizer on plant growth, the independent variable would be the amount of fertilizer used (the changing factor of the experiment). The dependent variables would be the growth in height and/or mass of the plant (the factors that are influenced in the experiment) and the controlled variables would be the type of plant, the type of fertilizer, the amount of sunlight the plant gets, the size of the pots, etc. (the factors that would otherwise influence the dependent variable if they were not controlled).
- In a study of how different dosesEffective doseEffective dose may refer to:*Effective dose the dose of pharmacologic agent which will have a therapeutic effect in some fraction of the population receiving the drug...
of a drugMedicationA pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
affect the severity of symptomSymptomA symptom is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality...
s, a researcher could compare the frequency and intensity of symptoms (the dependent variables) when different doses (the independent variable) are administered, and attempt to draw a conclusion. - In measuring the acceleration of a vehicle, time is usually the independent variable, while speed is the dependent variable. This is because when taking measurements, times are usually predetermined, and the resulting speed of the vehicle is recorded at those times. As far as the experiment is concerned, the speed is dependent on the time. Since the decision is made to measure the speed at certain times, time is the independent variable.
- In measuring the amount of color removed from beetroot samples at different temperatures, the dependent variable would be the amount of pigment removed, since it is depending on the temperature (which is the independent variable).
- In sociologySociologySociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, in measuring the effect of educationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
on income or wealth, the dependent variable could be a level of income or wealth measured in monetary units (United States Dollars for example), and an independent variable could be the education level of the individual(s) who compose(s) the household (i.e. academic degrees).
Manipulated versus subject variables
Up to this point, the term independent variable has meant some factors that are manipulated directly by the researcher. An experiment compares one condition created by and under the control of the experimenter with another. In many studies, however, comparisons are also made between groups of people who differ from each other in ways other than those manufactured by the person designing the study. These comparisons are made between factors that are referred to variously as:- Ex post facto variables
- Natural group variables
- Non-manipulated variables
- Subject variables
They refer to already existing characters of the subject participating in the study, such as gender, age, intelligence, physical or psychiatric disorder, and any personality attribute and any personality attribute one can name. When using subject variables in a study, the researcher cannot manipulate them directly but must select subjects for the different conditions by virtue of the characteristics they already have.
For more information, see Quasi-experiment
Quasi-experiment
A quasi-experiment is an empirical study used to estimate the causal impact of an intervention on its target population. Quasi-experimental research designs share many similarities with the traditional experimental design or randomized controlled trial, but they specifically lack the element of...
.