Explanatory variable

Definition

An explanatory variable is an independent variable in an experiment or study that is manipulated to observe its effect on a dependent variable. It helps in identifying causal relationships by influencing changes in the response variable.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The explanatory variable is also known as the predictor or independent variable.
2. Manipulation of the explanatory variable allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
3. In experimental design, controlling the explanatory variable minimizes confounding factors.
4. It is crucial for hypothesis testing and determining statistical significance.
5. The relationship between the explanatory and response variables can be illustrated using scatter plots or regression analysis.

Review Questions

• What role does an explanatory variable play in an experiment?
• How does manipulating an explanatory variable help in establishing causality?
• Why is it important to control the explanatory variable in experimental design?

Related terms

Response Variable:

A dependent variable that measures the outcome of a study influenced by the explanatory variable.

Confounding Variable: An extraneous factor that may affect the results of a study by being related to both the explanatory and response variables.

Random Assignment:

A method used in experimental design to randomly allocate subjects to different groups to ensure each group is comparable.