To determine the correct response variable (RV), we need to understand what we aim to measure in this study. The response variable is the outcome that we are interested in observing and understanding. It is the dependent variable that changes as a result of the variations in another variable or variables.
In this case, we are investigating the relationship between two specific factors:
- The time spent shopping
- The number of items bought
The focus of our investigation is to see how the time spent shopping correlates with the number of items bought. Since we are trying to measure how the number of items bought changes in relation to the time spent shopping, our response variable must be the number of items bought.
Here is the breakdown of the given options:
a. The number of items bought – This aligns with our objective because it is the variable we are measuring, and it changes based on the amount of time spent shopping.
b. The number of items at the shop – This is unrelated to what we are trying to measure. It represents the total inventory at the shop, not the outcome of our investigation.
c. The time spent shopping – This is the explanatory variable (independent variable) in our study, not the response variable. It is the variable that we are controlling or using to explain changes in the response variable.
d. The time spent getting to the shops – This factor is also unrelated to what we are investigating. It does not influence the number of items bought directly in the context of our study.
Given the options and our focus on what we wish to measure, the correct response variable (RV) is:
a. The number of items bought
