Definition Independent variable

When examining the relationship between several variables, the values of independent (exogenous) variables explain the values of one or more other variables (dependent variables). In an experiment to find out how to change the well-being of the subjects depending on room temperature, the room temperature is the independent variable, whose influence on the dependent variable ("well-being") is to be analyzed.

In regression analysis, the independence or exogenous quality of a variable also means that the variable cannot be predicted within the model but is taken for granted.