Asocial scientist is interested in studying if happiness (very happy, somewhat happy, a little happy, or not happy) is associated with their sibling status (only child, one sibling, two siblings, more than 2 siblings). which is more naturally the explanatory variable?

The answer is sibling status. The more naturally explanatory variable is the sibling status.

EXPLANATION

An explanatory variable is basically a part of the independent variable. The explanatory variable is a kind of independent variable. The term is similar to one another because the explanatory variable is a part of the independent variable. The term independent means that that variable is not affected by any other variables, while the explanatory variable means that a variable can’t be decided for certain if it’s independent or not.

The line between the explanatory variable and the independent variable is not really that important. Except if you do advance research that has a lot of variables, then it may be important because the variables are interacting with each other. The differences between the explanatory variable and the independent variables are important in clinical research. But in most cases, specifically in statistics, the independent variable and explanatory variable are basically the same.

Here is an example to understand the independent variable and explanatory variable. Let’s say there are two variables that can explain the cause of weight gain, which are soda and fast food. Most people might think that soda and fast food are both independent of each other, but actually, they are not really independent of each other.  

It has been associated that if you eat fast food, then you must drink soda as a compliment. If you buy soda, then there will be a lot of fast food options around you, like the burger, hot dogs, or even nachos. Even though soda and fast food are not independent of each other, they still explain the effect of weight gain. Therefore, fast food and soda are explanatory variables because they can explain the weight gain.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

Statistical studies:

The nature of relationship between variables:

KEYWORD: explanatory variable, research, independent variable

Subject: Social Studies

Class: College

Subchapter: Explanatory variable

The answer is sibling status is more naturally the explanatory variable.

Further Explanation:

An explanatory variable is a kind of independent variable. The explanatory variable is a part of it. These two terms are used interchangeably. But they both have a subtle difference. When any variable is independent, then it is not get affected by any other variables. When that variable is not independent for certain then it is referred to as an explanatory variable.

Explanatory Variables can be manipulated in an experimental study by the researcher. He imposes conditions on the variable and the researcher observes the results. There can be more than one variable in the study. It influences the response variable. There can be more than one or many explanatory variables.

Learn More:

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2. Compare and contrast the middle colonies and southern colonies during the restoration era

3. How did Gertrude stein influence the career of Pablo Picasso in Paris at the start of the twentieth century?

Answer Details:

Grade: College

Topic: Explanatory Variables

Subject: Social Studies

Keywords: variable, explanatory variable, independent variable, response variable, experimental study,  

answer; the correct answer is (d) binge eating followed by compensatory behavior;