A dependent variable is what you measure in the experiment and what is affected during the experiment. ... It is called dependent because it "depends" on the independent variable. In a scientific experiment, you cannot have a dependent variable without an independent variable.

Why is the dependent variable in experiment?

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment.1 For example, in a study looking at how tutoring impacts test scores, the dependent variable would be the participants' test scores, since that is what is being measured.

Why is a dependent variable dependent?

For example, allocating participants to either drug or placebo conditions (independent variable) in order to measure any changes in the intensity of their anxiety (dependent variable). The dependent variable is the variable being tested and measured in an experiment, and is 'dependent' on the independent variable.