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. the explanatory variable is the medical history and the response variable is the percentage of dogs who contracted canine flu. the explanatory variable is the age group and the response variable is the medical history. 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. 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. no. there is no procedure, however well - designed, that can give evidence to support a claim of a cause - and - effect relationship. no. the company has only found evidence to support a claim that a dogs age is associated with contracting the flu.

Explanation:

(b) In a study, the explanatory (independent) variable is what is manipulated or observed to see its effect on the response (dependent) variable. Here, the age - group of dogs is being studied to see its impact on the percentage of dogs who contracted canine flu, so the age - group is the explanatory variable and the percentage of dogs with canine flu is the response variable.
(c) Just because there is a significant difference in the percentage of dogs who contracted canine flu between age - groups does not mean there is a cause - and - effect relationship. Association does not imply causation. A well - designed experiment with proper controls is needed to establish cause - and - effect.

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.