Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
In the context of sociological research, dependent variables are outcomes or effects that researchers are interested in explaining or predicting. They change in response to variations in another variable, known as the independent variable.
Related terms
Independent Variables: These are variables that researchers manipulate or observe to determine their effect on the dependent variable.
Control Variables: Variables that are kept constant or unchanging by researchers to ensure that they do not influence the outcome of an experiment.
Operational Definition: The specific way in which a concept is measured or manipulated within a study, allowing variables to be quantifiably assessed