Independent and Dependent variables: Examples

Heath predicts that working a job over 20 hours a week during nursing school will lower the student's GPA by 33%. What is the dependent variable?

Student's GPA

Hudson is conducting a research project that examines whether a child's study habits impacts the child's grades. What is the independent variable?

Study habits

For males, the age of onset of alcohol use increases the risk of becoming an alcoholic. What is the independent variable?

Age of onset of alcohol use

Susan believes that drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of child abuse within the home. What is the independent variable?

Alcohol consumption

Heath predicts that working a job over 20 hours a week during nursing school will lower the student's GPA by 33%. What is the independent variable?

Amount of hours worked per week

Rebecca believes that being a single mother will make it harder to get a high paying job. What is the independent variable?

Being a single mother

Hudson is conducting a research project that examines whether a child's study habits impacts the child's grades. He predicts that studying more contributes to better grades. What is the dependent variable?

Child's grades

Taylor is studying the crime rate on New Year's Eve in the United States. What is the dependent variable?

Crime rate

Dr. Phil believes how a child is talked to by their parents influences how the child expresses his or her self. What is the dependent variable?

How the child expresses his or her self

Dr. Phil believes how a child is talked to by their parents influences how the child expresses his or her self. What is the independent variable?

How the child is talked to by their parents

Hadley's research claims that Hispanic people are more likely to be arrested for being an illegal alien than any other race. What is the dependent variable?

Likelihood of being arrested

Susan believes that drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of child abuse within the home. What is the dependent variable?

Likelihood of child abuse

Bentley is interested in studying how the country's recession leads to loss of jobs. Which variable is the dependent variable?

Loss of jobs

Taylor is studying the crime rate on New Year's Eve in the United States. What is the independent variable?

New Year's Eve

Harold believes that working out before a test helps a student perform better on their test. What is the dependent variable?

Performance on their test

Hadley's research claims that Hispanic people are more likely to be arrested for being an illegal alien than any other race. What is the independent variable?

Race

Bentley is interested in studying how the country's recession leads to loss of jobs. Which variable is the independent variable?

Recession

Rebecca believes that being a single mother will make it harder to get a high paying job. What is the dependent variable?

The pay she will receive

Harold believes that working out before a test helps a student perform better on their test. What is the independent variable?

Working out

For males, the age of onset of alcohol use increases the risk of becoming an alcoholic. What is the dependent variable?

risk for becoming alcoholic