In an experiment, the changing factors are known as variables. Different variables include independent and dependent. It is essential to know how to determine the two variables, and also to know the difference between them. The two can be determined using graphs, tables, and equations, and one can get to analyze the relationship of the variable by comparing the graphs, tables, or equations. Independent and dependent variables can be seen as the cause and effect of an experiment.
The independent variable (IV) is the variable input or the cause of the experiment, while the dependent variable (DV) is the effect of what happens during a trial. The independent variable occurs first, and it determines what happens to the dependent variable (Hays, 2014). This means that the dependent variable cannot exist if there is no IV. The IV is always on the x-axis, while the DV is on the y-axis.
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In research, variables are characteristic that keeps on varying. The independent variable explains what happens to the dependent variable. The two variables are somehow related in that when one increases, the other one does too, which is known as the significant positive correlation. In contrast, the negative correlation means that the two variables are negatively related because one can increase while the other decreases. Then there is the zero correlation, which means that the two variables are not related. The three situations can be used to determine a situation in research (Whitbourne & Whitbourne, 2011). Hence, the use of variables can be used to predict the outcome of a situation.
It is crucial to be attentive in any situation so that you can get the independent value of the situation; in every situation; it is essential to understand why things happen and what determines how they happen. This helps in understanding the occurrence of different variables.
References
Hays, T. (2014) Identify Independent and Dependent Variables [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsrJBWxwUyY
Independent and Dependent Variables (2014). Psychology@castellalun . [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeH1FzqdQZ0
Whitbourne, S. K., & Whitbourne, S. B. (2011). Adult development and aging : biopsychosocial perspectives (5th ed.). Wiley.