Dependent and Independent Variables
Variables are traits or factors existing in different types of a condition of a commodity in an experiment. In other words, they are characteristics that are measurable and can be controlled or change. There are two types of variables, the dependent and independent variables. The dependent value is the one that depends on other values. Also, the dependent variable is seen in the output value. The independent value, on the other hand, is the value being measured or tested in the experiment. They are always the cause of change in the dependent variable. Unlike the dependent variable, the independent variable is seen in the input value and is unchangeable by the dependent variable.
The independent variable, in this case, is the flavours being tested in the market. This is because they can only be changed or controlled accordingly depending on the response they get through the questionnaires. The flavours are also the value-added input in the sodas and can only be changed during the input process. The taste of the flavours cannot be changed in the market. According to Losh (2017), the levels of an independent variable are determined by the types of flavours in a test. Therefore, in this experiment, the levels are the Cherry-vanilla and Strawberry-mango flavours. The dependent variable, on the other hand, is the response in the market research as it depends on the taste of the flavours. Changes in the flavours change how the shoppers in the supermarkets will respond to them. Also, the respond of the shoppers in the questionnaires will determine which flavour will succeed but can never change any of the flavours in any way. The research market is testing the final product of the added flavours in the sodas, which is the output value. Hence, the shoppers in the supermarkets are the dependent variables as they determine which flavour is more desirable.
Reference
Losh, S. C. (2017). Dependent and Independent Variables. The Wiley‐Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Theory, 1-3.