When conducting an experiment, a researcher usually has a
dependent and
independent variable. The independent variable is the variable that can be changed or manipulated (think of it as a cause). The dependent variable is the variable that
depends on the independent variable (think effect).
For example, if you wanted to test whether practice improves an athlete's performance (lets say number of touchdowns):
- Practicing (or not) is what you can manipulate. It is the independent variable.
- Number of touchdowns is the dependent variable. The results depend on whether or not the athlete practiced.
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