Three types of variables

The variables present in a hypothesis or used in an experiment can be divided into three
main types. They are:

Dependent variable. It represents the output or effect, or is tested to see if it is the effect.

Independent variable. It represents the input or cause, or is tested to see if it is the cause.

Controlled variable. It is something that is constant and unchanged in an experiment. It is held

constant to test the relative impact of independent variables.

Variables in context

Here are a few examples showing variables in their context.

Effect of fertilizer on plant growth. In a study measuring the influence of different quantities
of fertilizer on plant growth, the independent variable would be the amount of fertilizer used.
The dependent variable would be the growth in height or mass of the plant. The controlled
variables would be the type of plant, the type of fertilizer, the amount of sunlight the plant gets,
the size of the pots, etc.

Effect of drug dosage on symptom severity. In a study of how different doses of a drug affect
the severity of symptoms, a researcher could compare the frequency and intensity of symptoms
when different doses are administered. Here the independent variable is the dose and the
dependent variable is the frequency/intensity of symptoms.

Effect of education on wealth. In sociology, in measuring the effect of education on income

or wealth, the dependent variable is level of income/wealth and the independent variable is the
education level of the individual.

Effect of vitamin C intake on life expectancy. Concerning nutrition, the independent variable
of daily vitamin C intake (how much vitamin C one consumes) can influence the dependent
variable of life expectancy (the average age one attains). Over some period of time, scientists
will control the vitamin C intake in a substantial group of people. One part of the group will be
given a daily high dose of vitamin C, and the remainder will be given a placebo pill (so that they
are unaware of not belonging to the first group) without vitamin C. The scientists will
investigate if there is any statistically significant difference in the life span of the people who
took the high dose and those who took the placebo (no dose). The goal is to see if the
independent variable of high vitamin C dosage has a correlation with the dependent variable of
people's life span. The designation independent/dependent is clear, because if a correlation is
found, it cannot be that life span has influenced vitamin C intake, but an influence in the other
direction is possible.