In an experiment, the dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested. It is the outcome that you are interested in measuring, and it changes as a result of the independent variable manipulation. The dependent variable is sometimes called the "response," the "symptoms," or the "outcome". For example, if someone was studying the effects of pollution on asthma, the incidence of asthma would be the dependent variable. In contrast, the independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or varied in an experimental study to explore its effects. It is the variable that stands alone and isnt changed by the other variables you are trying to measure. For example, someone's age might be an independent variable.