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Independent/Dependent Variables

Author: Nathan Lampson

 

When testing a hypothesis, scientists use controlled experiments. Scientists modify one aspect of an experiment in order to test hypotheses.

 

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated by the experimenter.

 

The dependent variable is the variable in an experiment that responds to the presence or absence of the independent variable.

 

Example:

If a scientist wants to test whether or not the presence of a heat lamp will cause a turtle to grow faster, the independent variable of the experiment is the presence or absence of the heat lamp.  The dependent variable in the experiment is the amount the turtle grows.

Independent/Dependent Variables