Final answer:
Comparative effectiveness research is indeed a major focus of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. A positive correlation indicates a relationship between two variables but does not inherently suggest health benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Comparative effectiveness research is a major focus of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The statement is true. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is extensively involved in comparative effectiveness research, which is aimed at determining which medical treatments and strategies are most effective for different populations and under various circumstances. The goal of this type of research is to inform healthcare decisions by comparing the outcomes of different interventions and approaches.
Now addressing the other question, a positive correlation means that there is a relationship between two variables where if one variable increases, the other one also increases, or if one decreases, the other one also decreases. However, this does not necessarily mean that there are health benefits to the variable under investigation. It merely indicates a relationship, which could be positive, negative, or neutral in terms of health outcomes.