Explain the relationship between independent and dependent variables within a hypothesis

Answer 1

Hi Natalie,

The answer lies within the definition of the words "dependent" and "independent." A dependent variable depends on something else. Take height for example. Let's form the hypothesis that if you eat more nutritious foods then you will grow taller. In this case, the outcome (height) depends on the diet. Typically in a hypothesis, the independent variable is named in the first half following the if, and the dependent variable is named within the second half following the then.

Another example:

If a berry is poisonous, then a bird will get sick. Whether or not the bird gets sick depends on if the berry is poisonous. To test the hypothesis that the berry is poisonous, we feed it to a bird and check the outcome: sick or not sick.

The wording may not always be as clear. Imagine someone says "I think that my new shampoo is making my hair fall out!" In this case, the question is whether someone's hair falling out depending on their new shampoo.

I hope this helps :)

Allison