independent variables
Experiment's manipulated elements
Independent variables are factors deliberately changed or controlled in an experiment to observe their effect on other factors.
In the equation y = 2x + 3, x is the independent variable—its value is chosen freely, while y depends on that choice.
The term appears throughout science, statistics, and mathematics: The study tested age and income as independent variables.
Also called predictor variables or explanatory variables.
Systematic investigation procedure
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- control groupUntreated subjects for comparison
- experimental designStructured plan for research
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
treatment · intervention · conditions · protocol · subjects · participants · randomization · assignment
One who foretells events
- regressionReturn to former state
- ANOVACompares means among groups
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
- coefficientNumber multiplying a variable
factors · levels · covariates · analysis · significance · estimation · inference · sampling
What produces an effect
- effectResult of a cause
- determinantMatrix-derived scalar quantity
- influencePower to affect others
- antecedentSomething that precedes
driver · manipulation · outcome · relationship · directionality · mechanism · counterfactual · exogenous
experiment
Systematic investigation procedure
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- control groupUntreated subjects for comparison
- experimental designStructured plan for research
manipulation · treatment · intervention · conditions · protocol · subjects · participants · randomization · assignment · baseline
predictor
One who foretells events
- regressionReturn to former state
- ANOVACompares means among groups
- correlationStatistical relationship measure
coefficient · factors · levels · covariates · analysis · significance · estimation · inference · sampling · probability
cause
What produces an effect
- effectResult of a cause
- determinantMatrix-derived scalar quantity
- influencePower to affect others
antecedent · driver · manipulation · outcome · relationship · directionality · mechanism · counterfactual · exogenous · endogenous
function
Purpose or duty
- equationMathematical equality assertion
- parameterBoundary-setting factor
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
linear · nonlinear · graph · plot · axis · slope · extrapolation · interpolation · domain · range
- lab documentssafety protocols, data tables, lab notebooks, control variables
- research methodsexperiment, hypothesis, deduction, experiments, induction
independent, variable, depend, dependent, dependence, dependency, dependently, independently, independence