R2 (pronounced as “R squared”), or the coefficient of determination, is a statistical measure that is interpreted as the proportion of variance of the dependent variable (DV, or regressand) that is explained by the independent variable (IV, or predictor or explanatory variable) or by the statistical model. In other [Page 1362]words, the R2 value gives the information on how well the IV explains the outcome variable (accounts for the variability of the DV).

The value of R2 is standardized (ranges from 0 to 1), which makes it easy to interpret; therefore, it is commonly used in statistical models for research (e.g., in education, psychology, biology, or economy). In social sciences, the coefficient of determination might be used in studies aimed at predicting school grades or estimating ...