Help From the Web Wizard

The "If; Then" Rule of Thumb
to Identify the Independent and Dependent Variables

Here's how to apply this rule: Create a sentence describing the relationship between the variables. If = independent variable, Then = dependent variable. If you get the proper order, the sentence will make sense.



Example: Identify which sentence makes the most sense:

If I drink caffeine (IV) when studying, then I will remember more for the test (DV).

Versus

If I remember more for the test (IV), then I will drink more caffeine (DV).


The second statement just doesn't make good sense. Hence the first "if, then" sentence has correctly identified the independent and dependent variables.

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