Question

Experience with a certain type of plastic indicates that a relation exists between the hardness of items molded from the plastic (Y) and the elapsed time since the termination of the molding process (X). It is proposed to study this relation by means of regression analysis. A participant in the discussion objects, pointing out that the hardening of the plastic "is the result of a natural chemical process that doesn't leave anything to chance, so the relation must be mathematical and regression analysis is not appropriate."

Evaluate this objection.

a) Regression analysis is appropriate.
b) There is a statistical relation between Y and X instead of a functional relation.
c) Regression analysis is not appropriate.
d) There is no statistical relation between Y and X instead of a functional relation.

Answer 1

a) Regression analysis is appropriate.

Explanation:

Regression analysis: In statistics and research methods, the term "regression analysis" is described as one of the powerful "statistical methods" that tends to allow a researcher to examine or evaluate a specific relationship between two or more than two "variables of interests". In other words, a regression analysis tends to measure one or more than one independent variable on a specific dependent variable.

In the question above, the correct answer is regression analysis because any natural "chemical process" is considered as a "dependent process", therefore no chance procedure can be included.