what are the definitions of independent and dependent variable?

Question

Part of the scientific method

Answer 1

An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated, measured, or selected by the researcher as an antecedent condition to an observed behavior. In a hypothesized cause-and-effect relationship, the independent variable is the cause and the dependent variable is the outcome or effect.

A dependent variable is a variable that is not under the experimenter's control -- the data. It is the variable that is observed and measured in response to the independent variable.

Answer 2

Independent variables are causes. Dependent variables are effects.