Understanding Scientific Variable

Understanding scientific variables
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Introduction
A scientific variable refers to any condition, factor or item which can be changed or controlled. Scientists normally use experiments to determine associations between various variables by determining their cause and effect relationship (Valiela, 2001). The cause and effect relationship between different variables can be seen when a scientist changes one or more variable(s), and observes or measures another variable while ensuring everything else is kept constant. There would be an effect on the variable that the scientist observes or measures. This kind of experiment is vital since if there is a cause and effect relationship between variables, outcomes can be predicted and can be utilized to create many benefits or may be changed or manipulated.
Types of Scientific Variables
According to Baird (2004), there are three various types of variables that are applied in scientific variables; these include independent variables, dependent variable, and controlled variable. An independent variable is a condition, factor or item that can be deliberately changed in an experiment. For instance, in an experiment determining whether the growth of a plant is affected by watering either using milk or water. The independent variable is the item or substance (in this case is milk or water) that is utilized to water the plant.
A dependent variable is a factor, condition or item that the scientist measures so that to assess whether or not it is influenced by a change or adjustment in the independent variable (Baird, 2004). Considering the plant experiment, the growth of the plant is considered as the dependent variable because it is affected by the independent variable (watering the plant).
Besides that, controlled variable is a variable that is held constant or controlled during the entire experiment or investigation. Valiela (2001) explains that the controlled variable(s) is kept constant (unchanging) in order not to influence or affect the outcome of the experiment by causing changes. Nevertheless, controlled variables may have effect on the experiment. For instance, if the scientist is measuring whether the plant...