Response Variable
Definition
The response variable is the outcome or result that researchers measure and analyze in an experiment. It represents the effect or output of interest.
Analogy
Imagine you have a garden and you want to see how different amounts of water affect plant growth. The response variable would be how tall and healthy your plants grow after watering them with different amounts of water.
Related terms
Outcome Variable: An outcome variable is another term used interchangeably with response variable. It refers to what researchers measure as a result of manipulating variables.
Dependent Variable: The dependent variable is another name for response variable. It depends on changes made to other variables in an experiment.
Measurement Error: Measurement error refers to inaccuracies or variations that occur when measuring and recording data for a response/dependent variable.
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