"Identifying the independent and dependent variables refers to the process of determining the presumed causes and effects within an experimental design. The Independent variable is the presumed cause of an outcome or an effect. It is the factor that the experimenter manipulates to cause changes in the outcome. The dependent variable is the measured factor that is presumed to be influenced by the
. independent variable. For example, in a study on the effect of twinkies on the blood glucose levels of children, the independent variable would be the number of twinkies administered to each experimental subject, ranging from none to 5. Twinkies are the presumed cause of changes in blood glucose. The outcome, or dependent variable, would be measured blood glucose level. none to 10 micrograms. The outcome would be respiration rate"
