Independent and Dependent Variables in Labs

Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables

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VARIABLES

Something that is able to be changed or adapted in an investigation.

Independent Variables

What you change in a scientific experiment.

Example

• Are students who are involved in school sports more likely to have a higher grade point average?

• The independent variable would be whether or not students are involved in school sports, because that is what we can change.

Dependent variable

What changes because of the independent variable; what you are trying to figure out or understand.

Often the result of the experiment.

Example

• Are students who are involved in school sports more likely to have a higher grade point average?

• The dependent variable would be the grade point average of the students who participated in the experiment.

• The dependent variable should be measureable or observeable.

Try to identify the independent and dependent variables in the following examples.

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable in the question below?

Will hair have more shine if conditioner is used before or after shampooing?

• Shininess of hair

• When the hair is conditioned

Multiple Choice

What is the dependent variable in the question below?

Are children who learn to read before kindergarten more likely to attend college?

• when students learn to read

• likeliness to attend college

• what students read

Multiple Choice

What is the dependent variable in the question below?

Are fishermen who use live bait more likely to catch a fish than fisherman who use artificial (fake) bait?

• likeliness of catching fish

• what bait is used

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable in the question below?

When students bring a packed lunch to school do they consume fewer calories?

• Whether or not students bring a packed lunch or eat a school lunch

• How many calories students consume

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable in the question below?

Do movie goers eat more popcorn during comedies or dramas?

• the amount of popcorn eaten during the movie

• which movie is seen