What is an independent variable?
An independent variable is a variable in an experiment that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher. It is the variable that is believed to have a causal effect on the dependent variable. To identify the independent variable in an experiment, you can follow these steps:
1. Understand the research question or hypothesis: Determine what specific relationship or effect the study aims to investigate.
2. Identify the variables: Identify the different variables involved in the study. There are typically two types of variables in an experiment: independent and dependent variables.
3. Determine the cause and effect relationship: Consider which variable is intended to cause a change in the other variable. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed intentionally to observe its impact on the dependent variable.
For example, let's consider a study investigating the effect of different study techniques on exam scores. In this case, the independent variable would be the study technique, as the researcher is intentionally manipulating and controlling the study techniques to observe their influence on the exam scores (dependent variable).