Dependent variable

Dependent Variable

The Dependent Variable (pronounced: deh-pen-dent vair-ee-uh-bul) is a term used in statistical modeling, experimental sciences, and regression analysis. It refers to the variable being tested and measured in an experiment. The dependent variable is the variable that is dependent on the values of one or more other variables, known as independent variables.

Etymology

The term "Dependent Variable" originates from the field of statistics. It is so named because its value "depends" on the changes made to the independent variable(s).

Related Terms

Independent Variable: This is the variable that is manipulated in an experiment in order to observe the effect on the dependent variable.
Control Variable: This is a variable that is kept constant in an experiment to ensure that any changes to the dependent variable are solely due to the manipulation of the independent variable.
Extraneous Variable: These are variables that are not of interest to the researcher but could influence the dependent variable if not controlled.
Confounding Variable: These are variables that can cause or prevent the outcome of interest, are not random, and can affect the interpretation of the causal relationship.
Variable (mathematics): A symbol that represents a quantity in a mathematical expression, as used in many areas of mathematics, science, and engineering.