Which statement best expresses the relationship between the DV and the IV?

Which statement best expresses the relationship between the DV and the IV?

• A. The DV is caused by the IV.
• B. The IV is caused by the DV.
• C. The IV and DV are independent.
• D. The DV should be caused by the change in the IV.

Answer: (D)

In experiments, you manipulate the independent variable to see what effect it has on the dependent variable. The point is to show that changes you make to the IV cause changes in the DV. So the best way to express this relationship is that the DV is caused by the change in the IV. This phrasing emphasizes both the direction of influence (IV affects DV) and the role of the manipulation itself. The idea that the DV is caused by the IV is similar, but mentioning the change in the IV highlights that it’s the act of changing the IV, not just its presence, that should produce a DV change. The notion that the IV and DV are independent isn’t correct in this context because a manipulated IV is expected to influence the DV.

In experiments, you manipulate the independent variable to see what effect it has on the dependent variable. The point is to show that changes you make to the IV cause changes in the DV. So the best way to express this relationship is that the DV is caused by the change in the IV. This phrasing emphasizes both the direction of influence (IV affects DV) and the role of the manipulation itself.

The idea that the DV is caused by the IV is similar, but mentioning the change in the IV highlights that it’s the act of changing the IV, not just its presence, that should produce a DV change. The notion that the IV and DV are independent isn’t correct in this context because a manipulated IV is expected to influence the DV.