What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable?

[Inshya]

I’m learning about experiments and data analysis, but I’m confused about the terms independent and dependent variables. Can someone explain how they differ?

 

[Robert Willian]

An independent variable is the "cause" in a cause-and-effect relationship that a researcher manipulates or controls, while a dependent variable is the "effect" that is measured and observed to see if it changes as a result of the independent variable's manipulation.

 

[peterkavinsky]

An independent variable is the one you change or control in an experiment, while a dependent variable is the one you measure or observe to see how it responds to changes in the independent variable.