Explanatory vs Response Variables

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📚 Part 1: Understanding the Concepts

Key Definitions:

Explanatory Variable: The variable that explains or causes changes in another variable (also called independent variable)

Response Variable: The variable that responds to or is affected by the explanatory variable (also called dependent variable)

1. A researcher studies whether the number of hours students study affects their test scores. Which variable is which?

Hours studied = explanatory, Test scores = response

Hours studied = response, Test scores = explanatory

Both are explanatory variables

Both are response variables

2. A shop owner wants to see if temperature affects ice cream sales. The explanatory variable is:

Ice cream sales

Temperature

The shop owner

Time of day

3. Which of these scenarios show a clear explanatory → response relationship? (Check all that apply)

Amount of fertiliser → Plant growth

Exercise time → Fitness level

Shoe size → Intelligence

Rainfall → Crop yield

✏️ Part 2: Identifying Variables

4. A sports scientist investigates whether protein intake affects muscle growth in athletes.

Explanatory variable: _________________________

Response variable: ___________________________

5. A teacher wants to know if class size influences student performance.

Explanatory variable: _________________________

Response variable: ___________________________

6. A car manufacturer tests how speed affects fuel consumption.

Explanatory variable: _________________________

Response variable: ___________________________

7. Explain in your own words: How do you remember which variable is explanatory and which is response?

🎯 Part 3: Create Your Own Example

8. Think of a real-world situation where one thing might affect another. Describe your scenario and identify the variables:

My scenario:

Explanatory variable: _________________________

Response variable: ___________________________

9. Explain why your explanatory variable would logically affect your response variable:

Explanatory vs Response Variables

Explanatory vs Response Variables

📚 Part 1: Understanding the Concepts

✏️ Part 2: Identifying Variables

🎯 Part 3: Create Your Own Example

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