The independent variable-dependent variable model of a conceptual framework is a foundational structure in research that delineates the relationship between variables, where the independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Key Insights

• Independent Variable:
  • This is the variable that is manipulated or categorized to observe its effect on the dependent variable. For example, in a study on product quality and consumer buying interest, product quality is the independent variable
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  • In another context, human likeness is used as the independent variable to study the uncanny valley effect
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• Dependent Variable:
  • This is the variable that is measured to see how it is affected by changes in the independent variable. For instance, consumer buying interest is the dependent variable influenced by product quality
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  • The uncanny valley effect, measured through various affective indices, serves as the dependent variable in studies on human likeness
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• Moderation and Interaction:
  • In some studies, the relationship between the independent and dependent variables is further examined through moderators, which can be either dichotomous or continuous. For example, the interaction between a multicategorical independent variable and a continuous moderator can be analyzed using linear regression
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Conclusion

The independent variable-dependent variable model is crucial for understanding causal relationships in research. By manipulating the independent variable and observing changes in the dependent variable, researchers can draw conclusions about the nature and strength of these relationships.