Definitions:
Independent Variable: the variable that is systematically manipulated by the researcher in an experiment to see whether changes in the independent variable produce reliable changes in the dependent variable. In ABA, it is usually an environmental event or condition antecedent or consequent to the dependent variable. Sometimes called the intervention or treatment variable (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007).
Dependent Variable: the variable in an experiment measured to determine if it changes as a result of manipulations of the independent variable; in ABA, it represents some measure of a socially significant behavior (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007).