What are the independent & dependent variable for the hypothesis:Women are smarter than men?

Answer 1

The independent and dependent variables are defined by the hypothesis. In this case, you don't have a testable hypothesis.

How does one define "smarter." Score on an I.Q. test? Skill at dealing with people? Grade-point average? Et cetera.

So, if you refine the hypothesis to: "Because of their gender, women get higher scores on I.Q. tests," then gender is the independent variable.

On the other hand, if the hypothesis is: "The ability to deal well with people is more likely to be found among subjects who are female," then the dependent variable is gender.