Dependent Variable

The term dependent variable is derived from mathematics and is basic to understanding results in scientific research. The dependent variable, sometimes referred to as the dependent measure, criterion variable, or Y variable, is the experimental variable that is measured to determine the effects of an independent variable (e.g., experimental treatment) on selected subjects during a research experiment. Using the subjects' performance on the dependent variable, the researcher attempts to determine a relationship between the independent variable that is manipulated and outcomes on one or more dependent measures. For example, in a study of how the implementation of a newly designed reading program is related to improved scores on reading comprehension of fourth-grade students, the students' performance on the reading comprehension test after they were taught using the new reading program is the dependent variable, whereas the independent variable, the manipulated variable, is the reading program. Dependent variable is a generic term that can encompass many different types of measurements. Examples of dependent variables often seen in the research literature are posttest, transfer test, generalization test, probes, unit tests, and so on. The researcher typically reports the results of the study in table or graphic form. Regardless of the type of research design, the dependent variable is a necessary feature of the research.