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
The independent variable is the variable in an experiment that is manipulated or changed by the researcher. It is what researchers believe will have an effect on the dependent variable.
The dependent variable is the outcome or result being measured or observed in an experiment, which may change depending on variations in the independent variable.
Control Group: A control group refers to a group of subjects or participants in an experiment who do not receive any treatment or exposure to the independent variable, serving as a baseline for comparison with experimental groups.
Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon based on observations and prior knowledge, often stating how changes in one factor (the independent variable) will affect another factor (the dependent variable).