Question

A team of researchers want to measure the distance covered while driving compared to a car's driving speed. Which statement is correct?

a. The speed of the car is a confounding variable.
b. The speed of the car is an explanatory variable.
c. The speed of the car is a response variable.
d. The speed of the car is a dependent variable.

Answer 1

b. The speed of the car is an explanatory variable

Explanation:

In the scenario above, the variable which the researcher intends to measure is the a distance covered by a car using the speed information available. The measured variable is the dependent variable as it outcome depends on the variable with which it is being measured, this is called the independent or explanatory variable.

Therefore, car speed is the explanatory or independent variable

Distance is the dependent, response or measured variable.