Talk:Dependent and independent variables

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of experiments|experimental design]], an independent variable is a random variable used to define treatment groups. " As it contradicted the rest of the definition and seems to be reffering to control and treatment cases rather than an independent variable (the actual treatment).. This is the one that you change in your experiment...


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[edit] Examples

I took out the saliva example — it was confusing and explained nothing that the other examples hadn't already elucidated. Also took out the numbering, as it doesn't seem to be the standard and I couldn't see a real reason for it.

Someone is having a problem with an over amount of saliva build up. The saliva build up would be the dependent variable. The dependant variable will change according to how to independent variable is used on it. The drug given to a person for their saliva problem, will be the independent variable. The independent variable can be changed in terms of (dosage, amount, frequency, intake, etc.) So with the proper amount of the independent variable, the dependent variable will change for the better, or perhaps worse if all goes wrong. The independent variable acts as a catalyst which alters the current state of the saliva build up within the individual's body.

--Mgreenbe 12:45, 22 November 2005 (UTC)

Does this article have any merit at all? Is there any meaning to the term outside the formal mathematical and statistical senses? Dsol 15:20, 22 November 2005 (UTC)
I don't think there's any meaning outside of mathematics/statistics, but isn't that merit enough for the article? My understanding is that a number of pages link here. Most of them seem to be coming from social sciences and want the statistical definition, but titration, lagrange multipliers, and parametric derivative point to this page, also.
What it could use is a rigorous definition — something better than a "catalyst", harhar. If you don't do it, I will eventually. --Mgreenbe 16:17, 22 November 2005 (UTC)
Agreed. I'll try to get to it soon, though I'm quite busy lately (among other things, with statistics). The article I'm seeing would mention the concept in a brief intuitive way in the intro, and be first of all about the definition in probability (with discrete, continuous, and maybe measure theoretic expressions). Then it would go on to statistics (technically not part of mathematics), and talk about various tests of independence, with links. Finally, it would mention common non-technical uses of the term, and the relations to cause and effect. Dsol 15:15, 23 November 2005 (UTC)

I've reinstated a bunch of content that was lost in a few vandalism attempts. For better flow, I've also rearranged that content. I've added another example too, which came out more complicated and less smoothly than I hoped. LightYear 05:27, 19 October 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Scientific Method

Has anyone else read Scientific method? I could only skim it as I do not have enough time to read it but is this page included in it? I could not find it.PatPeter 01:23, 23 December 2006 (UTC)

I do not have enough time to read this article on your behalf. However, I do have a web browser with an Edit | Find facility. ... and, yes, that article does not mention this article. Ian Cairns 04:16, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Statistical vs Scientific Usage

As I just added a link to Design of experiments, I realised again that there is an ambiguity of purpose in this page. The definition of independent variable in the statistical world is different (but not contradictory) to the scientific definition. Since this page now links to pages concerning the scientific and the statistical method, I suggest that there should be a more deliberation seperation of definition and treatment. There are elements common to both fields, but the emphasis is separable, and an acknowledgement of this would make the connection between the linked pages clearer. LightYear 00:04, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Static vs. Active Indpendent Variable

I was frustrated in not being able to find accurate definitions for either term online. The following is a fairly simple explanation:

A static independent variable includes factors of which change is not expected from, such as age or ethnicity. An active independent variable however is dynamic and can be manipulated, such as the dosage of a particular medication. Although the static independent variable cannot be manipulated, both the static and active independent variable could have an effect on the outcome (dependent variable). MontielMoreno 19:03, 19 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] mess

I'll be back later, but some brief comments:

This article is a mess. It begins by suggesting that the design-of-experiments usage is the principal topic of the article. That is ridiculous. Then it treats the usage that everyone learns in high school, and it gives a stupid definition by non-essentials: the variable plotted on the x-axis. That's what you'd expect to be written by someone who doesn't know anything beyond what everyone is taught in high school.

Also, there should be a conspicuous link to statistical independence, since that is where the topic of independent random variables is treated.

I'll be back...... Michael Hardy 18:53, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

OK, now I've reorganized it and put first things first. Michael Hardy 23:32, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

I copyedited one short paragraph, the example on drug dose and symptoms. It's not necessary to use "dosages" instead of "doses" etc. I also removed extraneous words that detract from the basic message. Eperotao 19:44, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] the symbol

The symbol used to present independence should be presented. Jackzhp (talk) 18:43, 17 April 2008 (UTC)