Describe What Explanatory and Response Variables Are and Why These

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Explanatory and response variables are terms used in statistical analysis to describe the relationship between two or more variables. The explanatory variable is the variable that is believed to have an effect on the response variable, while the response variable is the variable that is believed to be influenced by the explanatory variable.

These terms are superior to the more traditional terms independent and dependent because they do not imply a causal relationship. The terms independent and dependent can suggest that one variable causes the other, which may not always be the case. In contrast, the terms explanatory and response are more neutral and do not imply causation, allowing for a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the relationship between variables.

Additionally, the terms explanatory and response better reflect the complexity of real-world relationships between variables. In many cases, variables may influence each other in a reciprocal or bidirectional manner, making it difficult to categorize one as independent and the other as dependent. Using the terms explanatory and response allows for a more flexible and comprehensive understanding of these relationships.

Overall, the terms explanatory and response variables are superior to independent and dependent because they provide a more accurate and nuanced description of the relationship between variables, without implying a causal relationship or oversimplifying the complexity of real-world interactions.

Describe What Explanatory and Response Variables Are and Why These

Definitions: