Answer in paragraph form. Respond to the following. An example of an independent and dependent variables experiment is doing a study on screen time and sleep problems. The independent variable in this experiment is screen time because it influences sleep problems. The dependent variable is sleep problems that aren't resolved due to screen time. Another example is plant growth prediction, the length, width of the plant growth. The independent variable in the experiment is the different fertilizer and the different seeds used in the experiment. The dependent variable is the length, width of the plants growth and the amount of water used. The independent variable is the factor that changes and manipulate every time in the experiment test you are conducting. The dependent variable measures, researches, and observes the changes in the experiment and study. You watch how the study goes and write down what is different and what remains the same in these two examples and experience. Provide in-text citations and references for each.
Answer (2)
Independent variables are factors that are manipulated in experiments, while dependent variables are measured outcomes influenced by those changes. For instance, in studies on screen time, screen time is independent and sleep problems are dependent. Similarly, in plant growth studies, the type of fertilizer used (independent) affects the plants' growth metrics (dependent).
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In experiments, understanding the roles of independent and dependent variables is crucial for analyzing results. The independent variable is what the experimenter changes or controls to test effects on the dependent variable, which is observed and measured. In the first example involving screen time and sleep problems, screen time is the independent variable because it is the factor that researchers change to see how it affects sleep problems, which acts as the dependent variable. This means researchers might adjust the amount of screen time participants have and then measure sleep disruptions experienced—observing direct relationships between the two.
Similarly, consider an experiment on plant growth. In this scenario, different types of fertilizers and seeds represent independent variables, as they are varied to assess their impact on plant growth. Here, plant growth can be recorded as the length and width, serving as the dependent variable. By observing how these changes affect plant development, conclusions can be drawn about which conditions favor growth.
Independent variables are intentionally altered to observe their effect, while dependent variables are the outcomes that 'depend' on these manipulations. Through careful control and measurement, researchers can draw meaningful conclusions about causal relationships in these experiments. As students learn about these concepts, they can better design experiments and critically evaluate existing research.
