A dependent variable, also called an outcome variable, is the result of the action of one or more independent variables. It can also be defined as any outcome variable associated with some measure, such as a survey. Before providing an example, the relationship between the two (in an experimental setting) might be expressed as follows:

where DV = the value of the dependent variable, f = function of, and IVk = the value of one or more independent variables.

In other words, the value of a dependent variable is a function of changes in one or more independent variables. The following abstract provides an example of a dependent variable and its interaction with a independent variable (ethnic origin):