Researchers were interested in determining if individuals who worked nights were more likely to use sick time. The researchers compared the work histories of 230 individuals who worked the night shift with 255 individuals who worked the day shift. The sample came from work histories of employees at BetterBread Bakery.

What is the response variable?

A. The individual's work history.
B. Whether the individual worked days or nights.
C. The number of sick days used by the individual.

Question

Researchers were interested in determining if individuals who worked nights were more likely to use sick time. The researchers compared the work histories of 230 individuals who worked the night shift with 255 individuals who worked the day shift. The sample came from work histories of employees at BetterBread Bakery.

What is the response variable?
	
A.	The individual's work history.
B.	Whether the individual worked days or nights.
C.	The number of sick days used by the individual.

anonymous · Answer

Hmm, I think I've learned the term as "dependent variable" - or the item that is the outcome of whatever changes you've made to the system.  Since you can choose (or someone can) who works night or day-shift - that is the "independent variable".  We can't control whether someone calls in sick or not (that's up to their physiology) - so whether an employee uses a sick day is the "dependent" variable - or as your book puts it - the "Response Variable" in this study.