Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An explanatory variable is a type of independent variable used in experiments to explain variations in the response variable. It is manipulated by researchers to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
It is also known as a predictor or independent variable.
Explanatory variables are used to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
They are crucial for experimental design and hypothesis testing.
In regression analysis, explanatory variables are used to model the relationship with the response variable.
Multiple explanatory variables can be included in a single study to observe their combined effects.
The dependent variable that researchers measure to see if it changes due to manipulations of the explanatory variable.
Control Variable: A variable that is kept constant throughout the experiment to ensure that any changes in the response variable are due solely to the explanatory variable.
Confounding Variable: An external factor that may affect both the explanatory and response variables, potentially skewing results if not controlled.