Which variable in regression analysis is typically used to predict another variable?

In regression analysis, the variable that is generally used to predict or explain the behavior of another variable is the independent variable. This is because the independent variable represents the input or cause, while the dependent variable is the outcome or effect that is being measured. Essentially, the independent variable is what the researcher manipulates or observes to see how it affects the dependent variable, thereby establishing a relationship between the two.

For example, in a study examining the effects of study habits on exam scores, the study habits would be the independent variable, as they are being analyzed to predict changes in the dependent variable, which is the exam scores. Understanding this relationship is crucial for deriving insights and making predictions based on data.