independent variable
2
4.9
- noun
- /ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt ˈvɛrɪəbl/
- Specialized
:
variable independiente
- In the experiment, the researchers changed the temperature as the independent variable to observe its effect on plant growth.
- three independent variables
- manipulating the independent variable
- independent variable in this study
So that's the notion of selecting on the independent variable.
- So that's the notion of selecting on the independent variable.
Examples
-
The primary analyses examined the relationships between the dependent variables and the independent variables.
Academic text (1991) -
Cumulatively, the ten independent variables account for 29 percent of the variance in job satisfaction.
Academic text (1990) -
As shown in Figure 1, three independent variables are examined in this study.
Academic text (1990) -
Moreover, each of the factors that serve as independent variables occurs for each patient.
Academic text (1990) -
The complexity of the new system is the third independent variable examined.
Academic text (1990) -
They use predictions for some trees as independent variables for other trees.
-
The multivariate results for the independent variables and the two dependent variables are presented in Tables 2 and 3.
Academic text (2011) -
In the experimental classes, however, the independent variable, focused freewriting, was manipulated.
Academic text (1990) -
Initially, analyses were done using each of the independent variable sets (background, environmental, integration) alone.
Academic text (1990) -
Multivariate analyses identified the impact of eleven independent variables on grandparent performance.
Academic text (1990)
Synonyms
A condition or factor that people change on purpose to see effects
Antonyms
- Specialized
2
5.3
A value measured in an experiment that changes when you change something else
How Dependent
- Specialized
2
5.3
- Specialized
2
4.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is directly composed from 'independent' (not affected by others) + 'variable' (a quantity that can take different values), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a variable not dependent on other variables. While the full experimental role (being manipulated to test effects) is a technical nuance, the core meaning is transparently derivable and matches similar constructions in many languages.
Etymology
Independent variable comes from the simple idea that one part of an experiment can be changed on its own. The word independent means 'not affected by other things' and variable means 'something that can change', so the phrase names the factor you change to see how it affects another variable.