Final answer:
In situations involving risk, the explanatory variable is the one that is manipulated, whereas the response variable is the one that is affected by it, making D the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing situations involving risk, to identify which variable is the explanatory variable and which is the response variable, you should recognize that the explanatory variable is the one that is manipulated or controlled, whereas the response variable is the one that is affected or changed by the other. Therefore, the correct answer is D: The response variable is the one that is affected or changed by the other.
In experimental studies, the response variable is also known as the dependent or outcome variable. It changes as a result of the experimental conditions and treatments applied to the explanatory variable, which can also be referred to as the independent variable. The independent variable is designed to test causation by being the only important difference between experimental and control groups, thus allowing a researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.