Dependent Variable

Definition

The dependent variable is a variable whose variation is observed depending on variation in the independent variable.

Introduction

When interpreting covariation of variables, it is often important to know what causes the covariation. To do this, in the case of two variables, one variable is regarded to vary in independent manner while variation in the other one is observed depending on variation in the independently varying one. In most cases, it is very hard to know which variable varies independently and which one varies dependently or if the covariation does occur without any apparent causality between the two variables. Consequently, an experimental approach is often taken: one variable is manipulated to vary, while the effect of this variation on the other variable is observed. The affected variable is called dependent variable Y and the manipulated variable is called independent variable X. As noted before, even though the terms “dependent” and “independent” imply a...