AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable. A dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

Detailed explanation-2: -The independent variable is the one that is changed by the scientist. To insure a fair test, a good experiment has only ONE independent variable. As the scientist changes the independent variable, he or she records the data that they collect.

Detailed explanation-3: -In an experiment, the independent variable is the variable that is varied or manipulated by the researcher. The dependent variable is the response that is measured. One way to think about it is that the dependent variable depends on the change in the independent variable.

Detailed explanation-4: -Example: a car going down different surfaces. Independent variable: the surface of the slope rug, bubble wrap and wood. Dependent variable: the time it takes for the car to go down the slope. Controlled variable: the height of the slope, the car, the unit of time e.g. minutes and the length of the slope.

Detailed explanation-5: -The independent variable is the the part of the experiment that the experimenter has direct control over. This variable is usually plotted on the y axis. Changes in the independent variable cause changes in other variables.