What is an independent or manipulated variable?

Explanation:   An independent variable can be manipulated in an experiment, which in turn affects the changes in the dependent variables.

Mostly in mathematical equations, independent variables are denoted by ‘x’.

Independent variables are also termed as “explanatory variables,” “manipulated variables,” or “controlled variables.”

In a graph, the independent variable is usually plotted on the X-axis.

Independent variables are mostly used in experiments to determine their effects on other dependent variables.

However, in other cases where their influence is not of primary importance, they are used to account for their potential confounding effect.

The concept of independent variables might differ from one sector to another. In statistics, independent variables are those that are manipulated by the experimenter.

In research, independent variables are the variables that are selected to determine their possible effects on other variables being studied.

Independent variables are required for the existence or study of any dependent variable. Also, one independent variable might affect two different dependent variables.

These variables are used in experiments to study the cause-effect relationship where changes in independent variables make up the ‘cause’ part of the experiment.

Examples of independent variables depend on the nature of the experiment, and some of these variables with experiments are:

In an experiment testing the behavior of moths to light and dark by turning the light on and off, the light is the independent variable.

In a study determining the effects of temperature on the plant pigmentation, the temperature is the independent variable.

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