In research, variables are characteristics or attributes that can be measured, manipulated, or controlled. They can be any person, place, thing, or phenomenon that researchers are trying to understand or explain. Variables are essential for describing and measuring the differences or changes that occur naturally in the world or as a result of a manipulation.
There are two main types of variables in research:
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Independent variables: These are the factors that researchers manipulate or control to test their effects on other variables. The value of an independent variable is independent of other variables in the study. Examples of independent variables include the dosage of a drug, the type of treatment, or the level of exposure to a stimulus.
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Dependent variables: These are the variables that researchers measure as outcomes or that depend on other variables in the study. The value of a dependent variable is influenced by the independent variable(s) being tested. Examples of dependent variables include test scores, reaction times, or the presence of a certain condition or behavior.
Researchers use variables to understand the relationships between different factors and to make predictions about future outcomes. In experimental and quasi-experimental research, independent and dependent variables are particularly important for testing cause-and-effect relationships.
