An independent variable is the variable that researchers manipulate in order to better understand how phenomena, constructs, and behaviors are associated with dependent variables. Within applied statistics and research, the independent variable is often a "grouping" variable that is categorical in nature. The independent variable could also be an ordinal variable such as a Likert-scale or even a continuous variable such as weight or test score.
The important thing to remember is that the independent variable is the variable researchers control in the study. There is an outcome that exists, and they want to see if the independent variable is associated with the outcome (observational research designs) or potentially CAUSES it (experimental research designs).
The important thing to remember is that the independent variable is the variable researchers control in the study. There is an outcome that exists, and they want to see if the independent variable is associated with the outcome (observational research designs) or potentially CAUSES it (experimental research designs).