Dependent & Independent Variables

A researcher tests whether listening to classical music improves students’ math test scores.

• Independent: Math test scores; Dependent: Type of music

• Independent: Type of music; Dependent: Math test scores

• Independent: Students; Dependent: Music genre

• Independent: Study time; Dependent: Type of music

A scientist wants to know if the amount of sunlight affects the growth of tomato plants.

• Independent: Tomato plant growth; Dependent: Sunlight amount

• Independent: Type of tomato plant; Dependent: Sunlight

• Independent: Amount of sunlight; Dependent: Growth of plants

• Independent: Soil type; Dependent: Water used

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A teacher changes the amount of homework to see if it influences students’ grades.

• Independent: Students’ grades; Dependent: Homework amount

• Independent: Homework amount; Dependent: Students’ grades

• Independent: Teacher; Dependent: Class size

• Independent: Time; Dependent: Subject difficulty

A scientist studies whether temperature affects the rate of ice melting.

• Independent: Ice melting rate; Dependent: Temperature

• Independent: Ice type; Dependent: Temperature

• Independent: Temperature; Dependent: Ice melting rate

• Independent: Water level; Dependent: Ice

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

A nutritionist tests if eating breakfast improves student concentration.

• Independent: Student concentration; Dependent: Eating breakfast

• Independent: Eating breakfast; Dependent: Student concentration

• Independent: Sleep hours; Dependent: Breakfast type

• Independent: Study habits; Dependent: Grades

A chemist changes the concentration of acid to see its effect on reaction speed.

• Independent: Reaction speed; Dependent: Acid concentration

• Independent: Temperature; Dependent: Acid

• Independent: Acid concentration; Dependent: Reaction speed

• Independent: Volume; Dependent: Catalyst

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-5

A coach wants to see if the number of practice sessions affects team performance.

• Independent: Team performance; Dependent: Practice sessions

• Independent: Practice sessions; Dependent: Team performance

• Independent: Player; Dependent: Effort

• Independent: Game type; Dependent: Practice

A doctor tests if a new drug lowers blood pressure.

• Independent: Blood pressure; Dependent: Drug type

• Independent: Dosage; Dependent: Patient

• Independent: Drug type; Dependent: Blood pressure

• Independent: Age; Dependent: Treatment duration

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-5

A scientist studies whether water temperature affects how fast sugar dissolves.

• Independent: Sugar amount; Dependent: Temperature

• Independent: Water temperature; Dependent: Dissolving rate

• Independent: Type of sugar; Dependent: Water type

• Independent: Stirring speed; Dependent: Water temperature

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-5

A researcher examines if sleep duration influences memory test results.

• Independent: Memory test results; Dependent: Sleep duration

• Independent: Sleep duration; Dependent: Memory test results

• Independent: Time of day; Dependent: Sleep duration

• Independent: Memory test; Dependent: Sleep cycle