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dependent variable

dependent variable

2 5.3
A value measured in an experiment that changes when you change something else
  • noun
  • /dɪˈpɛndənt ˈvɛrɪəbl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : variable dependiente
  • In the experiment, the researchers measured the dependent variable, which was the participants' test scores.
  • use dependent variable
  • dependent variable scores
  • assess dependent variables

And here we're going to have our dependent variable, the Y, which is the yield.

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Examples

  • The effect of sleep on cognitive performance was analyzed, with the dependent variable being the scores on the memory task.

  • Price is the dependent variable we're trying to predict.

  • And here we're going to have our dependent variable, the Y, which is the yield.

  • The model explains nearly 50 percent of the variation of the dependent variable.

    Academic text (1999)
  • None of the interaction terms was significant for any of the four dependent variables assessed.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The influences of age and gender on the dependent variables were also assessed.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Table 3 lists the 13 dependent variables used in this multivariate analysis.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The multivariate results for the independent variables and the two dependent variables are presented in Tables 2 and 3.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Each MANOVA included the three dependent variables of validity, complexity, and coherence.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Alienation also related predictably with this dependent variable: higher levels of alienation resulted in less acceptance.

    Academic text (1999)

How Dependent

dependent variable
  • Specialized
2 5.3
independent variable
  • Specialized
2 4.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

dependent + variable

The meaning 'a variable whose value is determined by other variables' is directly and compositionally derived from 'dependent' (conditioned on or influenced by another factor) plus 'variable' (an element that can assume values). This adjective+noun pattern is semantically transparent and has clear cross‑linguistic equivalents, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The term dependent variable comes from the simple idea of a number or result that 'depends on' other things. Imagine a plant's height changing when you give it more sun: the dependent part shows it depends, and the variable part shows it can change, so in studies it is 'what you measure'.