noun · academic
independent variable
UK/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt ˈvɛərɪəbəl/US/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt ˈvɛriəbəl/in·DE·pen·dent VA·ri·a·ble
the factor that researchers change in an experiment to see its effect on another variable
Examples
“The amount of sunlight was the independent variable in the plant experiment.”
“Researchers manipulated the independent variable while keeping other conditions constant.”
“Choosing the right independent variable is crucial for a valid study design.”
Band 8 sentence
“By isolating the independent variable and controlling confounders, the researchers strengthened the causal inference.”
Collocations
- manipulated independent variable
- control the independent variable
- measure the independent variable
Word family
Common mistakes
the variable independent→the independent variable
independant variable→independent variable
variable which is depended→dependent variable
Say it for a higher band
5changed factor→6manipulated factor→7+independent variable
Synonyms
manipulated variable
Easily confused
dependent variable
“In the study plant growth was the dependent variable, measured after changing water levels.”
Related words
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