Bivariate Regression

Regression is a statistical technique used to help investigate how variation in one or more variables predicts or explains variation in another variable. This popular statistical technique is flexible in that it can be used to analyze experimental or nonexperimental data with multiple categorical and continuous independent variables. If only one variable is used to predict or explain the variation in another variable, the technique is referred to as bivariate regression. When more than one variable is used to predict or explain variation in another variable, the technique is referred to as multiple regression. Bivariate regression is the focus of this entry.

Various terms are used to describe the independent variable in regression, namely, predictor variable, explanatory variable, or presumed cause. The dependent variable is often ...