Which of the following best describes the term $\mathrm{response} \mathrm{variable}$ in statistics?

• A. It is the variable that is measured to assess the effect of changes in other variables.
• B. It is a variable that is not included in the analysis.
• C. It is a variable that is always categorical in nature.
• D. It is the variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that in statistics, variables are classified based on their roles in an analysis, especially in experiments or observational studies.
2. Identify that the response variable is the one that researchers measure or observe to see how it changes in response to other variables.
3. Recognize that the response variable is also called the dependent variable because its value depends on other variables, often called explanatory or independent variables.
4. Note that the response variable can be either quantitative or categorical, so it is not always categorical in nature.
5. Remember that the variable manipulated or controlled by the researcher is called the explanatory or independent variable, not the response variable.