Question

A researcher follows a group of study subjects for several days and observe they're eating habits. He observes a strong correlation in time between the consumption of beer and the consumption of salty snacks. Identify all of the true statements among the following.

a) We can conclude that consuming beer causes the consumption of salty snacks.
b) We can conclude that consuming salty snacks causes the consumption of beer.
c) We are unable to say anything about causation.
d) There must be causation in one of the directions mentioned.

Answer 1

The correct statement in this scenario is c) We are unable to say anything about causation. option c

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement in this scenario is c) We are unable to say anything about causation.

In the given scenario, the researcher observes a strong correlation in time between the consumption of beer and the consumption of salty snacks. However, correlation does not imply causation. It is not possible to determine from the observation alone whether consuming beer causes the consumption of salty snacks or vice versa. There may be other factors involved that influence both behaviors.

Without conducting an experiment that manipulates the variables and controls for other factors, it is not possible to establish a causal relationship between beer consumption and the consumption of salty snacks.