Answer:

In scientific research, we often want to study the effect of one variable on another one. For example, you might want to test whether students who spend more time studying get better exam scores.

The variables in a study of a cause-and-effect relationship are called the independent and dependent variables.

The independent variable is the cause. Its value is independent of other variables in your study.

The dependent variable is the effect. Its value depends on changes in the independent variable.