Question

A correlational study can establish that a relationship exists between two variables, but it cannot tell which is cause and which is effect. This is referred to as the ___________ problem.

1) Causation
2) Correlation
3) Effect
4) Relationship

Answer 1

The problem of not being able to determine cause and effect from a correlation in a correlational study is known as the correlation-causation problem, highlighting that while two variables may be associated, one does not necessarily cause the other.

Step-by-step explanation:

A correlational study can establish that a relationship exists between two variables, but it cannot tell which is cause and which is effect. This limitation is referred to as the correlation-causation problem. Essentially, while a correlation between two variables indicates that a change in one is associated with a change in the other, it does not necessarily mean that one variable causes the other to change. This is an important concept in research as it cautions against the assumption of causality based solely on a correlation.

The correlation-causation fallacy is the mistaken belief that because two variables are correlated, one must be the cause of the other. However, there may be other confounding variables that are responsible for the observed changes, or the relationship may be entirely coincidental. It's critical to understand that correlation does not imply causation to avoid drawing incorrect conclusions from observational studies.