Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Degrees of freedom refers to the number of independent variables that can vary in a statistical calculation or analysis. It represents the number of values in a calculation that are free to vary.
Related terms
Independent Variable: An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter in an experiment.
Dependent Variable: A dependent variable is a variable that is measured or observed and depends on the changes made to the independent variable.
Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis involves collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data using various statistical methods and techniques.