Researchers have noted that children who learn to play a musical instrument through taking lessons have higher average SAT scores, higher average GPAs, and higher average class ranks. The various measures of academic success described are examples of:
A)explanatory variables.
B)response variables.
C)confounding variables.
D)None of the answer options is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The measures of academic success (SAT scores, GPAs, and class ranks) are the data that are being observed and measured, making them response variables. Explanatory variables are the variables that are being manipulated or changed in an experiment in order to observe their effect on the response variable, and confounding variables are variables that may affect the response variable but are not being intentionally manipulated or controlled for. Since there is no information provided about any variables being manipulated, and it is only being observed that children who learn to play a musical instrument have higher academic success, neither A nor C is the correct answer.

Researchers Have Noted That Children Who Learn to Play a Musical