Question

Which is the predictor variable (X) and which is the criterion variable (Y) for each of the following examples?

a. A researcher tests whether the size of an audience can predict the number of mistakes a student makes during a classroom presentation.

b. A military officer tests whether the duration of an overseas tour can predict the morale among troops overseas.

c. A social psychologist tests whether the size of a toy in cereal boxes can predict preferences for that cereal.

Answer 1

The predictor variable is analogous to an independent variable and is used to predict an outcome (the criterion variable).

So we want to predict is the criterion variable and using the variable we want to predict is the predictor variable.

a.A researcher tests whether the size of an audience can predict the number of mistakes a student makes during a classroom presentation.

We want tp predict  " the number of mistakes a student makes during a classroom presentation " so it is the criterion variable.

Using "size of an audience " we predict that so it is predictor variable.

predictor variable: - "size of an audience "

criterion variable:- " the number of mistakes a student makes during a classroom presentation "

b.  A military officer tests whether the duration of an overseas tour can predict the morale among troops overseas.

predictor variable: - "the duration of an overseas tour"

criterion variable:- " the morale among troops overseas. "

c.A social psychologist tests whether the size of a toy in cereal boxes can predict preferences for that cereal.

predictor variable: - " the size of a toy in cereal boxes "

criterion variable:- " preferences for that cereal "