19. What is the difference between an independent and dependent variable? -
An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment. It is the variable that is hypothesized to have an effect on the dependent variable. The researcher controls the independent variable to observe how it influences the dependent variable.
On the other hand, a dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed in an experiment. It is the variable that is expected to be influenced or affected by changes in the independent variable. The dependent variable is measured or observed to determine if there is any effect or relationship between it and the independent variable.
In summary, the key difference between an independent and dependent variable is that the independent variable is manipulated or controlled by the researcher, while the dependent variable is measured or observed to determine the impact of the independent variable.