An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated or varied in an experimental study to explore its effects. It is not influenced by any other variables in the study. Some common independent variables include time, space, density, mass, fluid flow rate, and previous values of some observed value of interest. In an experiment, any variable that can be attributed a value without attributing a value to any other variable is called an independent variable. Independent variables are also called explanatory variables or predictor variables.
To determine the independent variable in a study, you should look for characteristics or keywords that identify it. Independent variables are not affected by any other variables that the study measures. For example, if someone was studying the effects of tooth-brushing on dental health, tooth-brushing would be the independent variable because it is being manipulated to explore its effects on dental health.
