Example of Variables in Scientific Experiments
1. If a scientist conducts an experiment to test the theory that a
vitamin could extend a person’s life-expectancy, then:
The independent variable is the amount of vitamin that is
given to the subjects within the experiment. This is controlled by
the experimenting scientist.
The dependent variable, or the variable being affected by the
independent variable, is life span.
2. Example of Variables in Scientific Experiments
If a scientist conducts an experiment to test the theory that a
vitamin could extend a person’s life-expectancy, then:
The independent variable is the amount of vitamin that is
given to the subjects within the experiment. This is controlled by
the experimenting scientist.
The dependent variable, or the variable being affected by the
independent variable, is life span.
3. For example, you may want to determine the relationship between hemoglobin
concentration and age. You select people of various ages, and then test their
hemoglobin concentrations. Age is the independent variable, and is controlled by the
experimenter (you can select which ages are in the experiment). The dependent
variable is the resulting hemoglobin concentration.
4. "There will be a statistically significant difference in graduation rates of at-
risk high-school seniors who participate in an intensive study program as
opposed to at-risk high-school seniors who do not participate in the intensive
study program." (LaFountain & Bartos, 2002, p. 57)
IV: Participation in intensive study program. DV: Graduation rates.
5. 2. "A director of residential living on a large university campus is concerned
about the large turnover rate in resident assistants. In recent years many
resident assistants have left their positions before completing even 1 year in
their assignments. The director wants to identify the factors that predict
commitment as a resident assistant (defined as continuing in the position a
minimum of 2 years). The director decides to assess knowledge of the position,
attitude toward residential policies, and ability to handle conflicts as predictors
for commitment to the position." (LaFountain & Bartos, 2002, p. 8)
IV: knowledge of position, attitude toward policies, and ability to handle
conflicts. DV: commitment to position (continuing in position for 2 years or not
continuing).
6. Example 1: A study finds that reading levels are affected by whether a person is born in the
U.S. or in a foreign country. The IV is where the person was born and the DV is their reading
level. The reading level depends on where the person was born.
7. Example 2: “In nonexperimental research, where there is no experimental manipulation, the IV
is the variable that ‘logically’ has some effect on a DV. For example, in the research on cigarette-
smoking and lung cancer, cigarette-smoking, which has already been done by many subjects, is
the independent variable.” (Kerlinger, 1986, p.32) Lung cancer “depends” on smoking.
8. Example 3: A researcher studies how different drug doses affect the progression of a disease
and compares the intensity and frequency of symptoms when different doses are given. The IV is
the dose given and the DV is the intensity and frequency of symptoms. The intensity and
frequency of symptoms “depends” on the dose of drug given.
9. Example 4: You are studying how tutoring affects SAT scores. Your independent variable(IV) is
tutoring and the dependent variable(DV) is test scores. The test scores “depend” on the
tutoring.
