Your hypothesis contains 2 types of variables. A variable is something that can vary or change. The independent variable is the one that is changed on purpose and the dependent variable is the one that changes when you change the independent variable. It depends on the independent variable. Consider this question:

Question

Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?

Answer 1

In the hypothesis "Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?", we can identify the independent and dependent variables as follows:

• Independent Variable: Fertilizer (the amount or type of fertilizer given to the plants). This is the variable that is changed on purpose to observe its effect on plant growth.

• Dependent Variable: Plant growth (measured by size, height, or biomass of the plants). This is the variable that is expected to change as a result of the application of fertilizer.

In this scenario, researchers would manipulate the amount or type of fertilizer applied to the plants (independent variable) to see how it affects the growth of the plants (dependent variable).