How are control and experimental groups related to the independent and dependent variables?

The independent variable, which is also referred to as the experimental variable, has no effect on the control group and is used to compare the experimental and control groups.

When you study the effect of fertilizer on the number of blooms on rose bushes, for instance, you have a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group is impacted by the independent variable.

The dependent variable in an experiment is what is measured; in this case, the number of blooms in each group of rose bushes. The control group receives the same treatment as the experimental group, but only the experimental group receives the fertilizer.

The independent variable is plotted on the x-axis and the dependent variable is plotted on the y-axis of a graph of your results.

The independent variable is manipulated or controlled by the researcher, while the dependent variable is the outcome that is measured. The experimental group is exposed to the independent variable, while the control group is not, allowing researchers to compare the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.