When a researcher gives an active medication to one group of people and a placebo, or inactive medication, to another group of people, the independent variable is the medication treatment. Each person's response to the active medication or placebo is called the dependent variable.

Is the dependent variable the placebo?

When a researcher gives an active medication to one group of people and a placebo, or inactive medication, to another group of people, the independent variable is the medication treatment. Each person's response to the active medication or placebo is called the dependent variable.

Is sugar dependent or independent variable?

For example, sugar consumption might be an independent variable in a study where you examine the effects of sugar on memory abilities by varying and controlling the amount of sugar eaten by groups of people over some time period and testing their memories.