The dependent or outcome variable is the variable that is observed. In an experiment, the experimenter determines the levels of the independent variable and then observes the level of the dependent or outcome variable.
There is a numerical score available for each observation. Examples include height measured in centimeters, score on a psychological test, time to complete a task, and number of problems solved.
Each observation is placed in a category. Examples include voting Democrat, Independent, or Republican; being diagnosed with the disease or not; and completing the task or not.
The relative placing of each observation is known. Examples include finishing place in a competition and ranking of height from tallest to shortest (without information on the specific heights). [Note: When the dependent variable has a very non-normal distribution within each group, then nonparametric tests may be appropriate. Convert your data to ranks and then use the appropriate statistical test for rank data.]
© 2002, Gary McClelland