Question

(b) which one of the following best describes the explanatory (independent) and response (dependent) variables?
● the explanatory variable is the age group and the response variable is the percentage of dogs who contracted
canine flu.
o the explanatory variable is the medical history and the response variable is the percentage of dogs who contracted
canine flu.
o the explanatory variable is the age group and the response variable is the medical history.
o the explanatory variable is the percentage of dogs who contracted canine flu and the response variable is the age
group.
(c) suppose there is a significant difference in the percentage of dogs who contracted canine flu between the two age
groups. would the company be well - justified in claiming that the difference in percentage was caused by the dogs
age? choose the best answer below.
o yes. because the procedure used data gathered over an extended period of time, the data set will be large. so, a
cause - and - effect relationship is well - justified.
o no. there is no procedure, however well - designed, that can give evidence to support a claim of a cause - and - effect
relationship.
o no. the company has only found evidence to support a claim that a dogs age is associated with contracting the
flu.

Explanation:

For part (b): The explanatory (independent) variable is what is hypothesized to influence the outcome, and the response (dependent) variable is the outcome being measured. Age group is the variable thought to affect contracting canine flu, so it is the explanatory variable; the percentage of dogs with canine flu is the outcome, so it is the response variable.

For part (c): A significant difference in percentages between age groups shows an association, but without experimental manipulation (e.g., assigning age groups randomly, which is impossible), we cannot prove causation—only correlation.

Answer:

(b) The explanatory variable is the age group and the response variable is the percentage of dogs who contracted canine flu.
(c) No. There is no procedure, however well-designed, that can give evidence to support a claim of a cause-and-effect relationship.