Independent and Dependent Variables

Question

Hello, I'm supposed to define the independent and dependent variables of a research study.

Objectives of the Study: Analyzing ethnic and racial disparities in mental health service access and use at different poverty levels.

Methods: Comparing demographic and clinical data of minority groups living in low and high-income areas and later compared to caucasians living in poverty areas.

I just wanted to double-check if I identified the variables correctly:

Independent Variable: Utilization of mental health services

Dependent Variable: Poverty levels/residential area (high/low income), ethnic group

Thank you!

Answer 1

Siya,

Great question! You actually have them backward. Given the information, the independent variable would be racial, ethnic, or income groups. Therefore, the dependent variable would be the rate of utilization and availability of mental health services to that population. That is, we would analyze the disparity (the change) of utilization along ethnic, racial, or income parameters.