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Dependent Variable
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):
Ethnic origin is one factor that may influence the rate or sequence of infant motor development, interpretation of screening test results, and decisions regarding early intervention. The primary purpose of this study is to compare motor development screening test scores from infants of Asian and European ethnic origins. Using a cross-sectional design, the authors analyzed Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) scores of 335 infants of Asian and European origins. Factorial ANOVA results indicated no significant differences in test scores between infants from these two groups. Although several limitations should be considered, results of this study indicate that practitioners can be relatively confident in using the HINT to screen infants of both origins for developmental delays. [Mayson, T. A., Backman, C. L., Harris, S. & Hayes, V. E. (2009). Motor development in Canadian infants of Asian and European ethnic origins. Journal of Early Intervention, 31(3), 199–214.]
In this study, the dependent variable is motor development as measured by the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT), and the independent variables are ethnic origin (with the two categorical levels of Asian origin and European origin). In this quasi-experimental study (since participants are preassigned), scores on the HINT are a function of ethnic origin.
In the following example, the dependent variable is a score on a survey reflecting how well survey participants believe that their students are prepared for professional work. Additional analyses looked at group differences in program length, but the outcome survey values illustrate what is meant in this context as a dependent variable.
This article presents results from a survey of faculty members from 2- and 4-year higher education programs in nine states that prepare teachers to work with preschool children. The purpose of the study was to determine how professors address content related to social-emotional development and challenging behaviors, how well prepared they believe graduates are to address these issues, and resources that might be useful to better prepare graduates to work with children with challenging behavior. Of the 225 surveys that were mailed, 70% were returned. Faculty members reported their graduates were prepared on topics such as working with families, preventive practices, and supporting social emotional development but less prepared to work with children with challenging behaviors. Survey findings are discussed related to differences between 2- and 4-year programs and between programs with and without a special education component. Implications for personnel preparation and future research are discussed. [Hemmeter, M. L., Milagros Santos, R. M., & Ostrosky, M. M. (2008). Preparing early childhood educators to address young children's social-emotional development and challenging behavior. Journal of Early Intervention, 30(4), 321–340.]
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