Were the extinctions that occurred in the last ice age more frequent among species of animals with large body sizes? A researcher gathers data on the average body mass (in kilograms) of all species known to have existed at that time. What are the explanatory and response variables?
A) There is no explanatory-response distinction in this situation.
B) Explanatory: body mass of a species. Response: whether the species went extinct.
C) Explanatory: the ice age. Response: whether a species went extinct.
D) Explanatory: whether a species went extinct. Response: the body mass of the species.
E) Explanatory: the ice age. Response: the body mass of a species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The explanatory variable is the body mass of the species and the response variable is whether the species went extinct. The study aims to investigate if there is a relationship between body mass and extinction during the last ice age.

Were the Extinctions That Occurred in the Last Ice Age