Independent Variable vs. Dependent Variable
When looking for the Independent Variable and the
Dependent Variable, there are signal words or word clues.
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Question – What is being changed Question – What is being
or controlled?
observed?
 Manipulated
 Results – data
 Changed
 Measured – how many,
how deep, distance, amount,
 Tested
length of time
 reacts to
The “If” part of a statement
The “then” part of the statement
The Cause
The Effect
The independent variable causes the effect on the dependent
variable:
Example: How long you sleep (independent variable) effects your test
score (dependent variable).
Controlled Variable
"Control Variable" is a variable that is purposely kept the same or
(constant) so that it can't change the result of the experiment.
Example: If an experiment is testing whether the color of the light will
change how fast the plants grow. The controlled variables have to be
the same: species of plant, temperature, size of plant, type of soil,
amount of water, size of pot, conditions, etc.