In statistical terms, what does a dependent variable indicate?

A dependent variable is a key concept in statistics and experimental design. It indicates a variable that is influenced or affected by one or more independent variables. In statistical models, researchers often aim to understand how changes in independent variables lead to changes in the dependent variable. For instance, if you are studying the effect of study time on exam scores, the exam score would be the dependent variable, as it depends on the amount of time studied.

The nature of the dependent variable is such that it can exhibit variations based on different conditions or manipulations of the independent variable(s). This relationship is foundational in both descriptive and inferential statistics, enabling researchers to draw conclusions about the effects of various factors.

In contrast, a variable that remains constant would not serve as a dependent variable in this context, as it shows no response to changes. Additionally, while statistical analysis might focus on various types of data, the designation of being a dependent variable isn’t limited to numerical data; it can include categorical data as well. Hence, the description of a dependent variable as being influenced by others is the most accurate representation of its role in statistical investigations.