Final answer:
The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher, while the dependent variable is measured. A scatter plot can show the relationship between two variables. Regression analysis can find the line of best fit and calculate the correlation coefficient.
Step-by-step explanation:
a. The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher. The dependent variable is the variable that is measured or observed and is expected to be affected by the independent variable.
b. A scatter plot is a graph that shows the relationship between two variables. Each point on the graph represents a pair of values for the two variables.
c. Regression analysis can be used to find the line of best fit for the data points in a scatter plot and to calculate the correlation coefficient, which measures the strength and direction of the relationship between the variables.
d. The correlation coefficient indicates how closely the data points in a scatter plot follow a linear pattern. A correlation coefficient close to +1 or -1 indicates a strong linear relationship, while a correlation coefficient close to 0 indicates a weak or no linear relationship.
e. To determine if there is a linear relationship between the variables, you can examine the scatter plot and calculate the correlation coefficient. If the data points in the scatter plot form a clear linear pattern and the correlation coefficient is close to +1 or -1, then there is a linear relationship between the variables.