Question

In this discussion, you'll look at a few situations and think about whether causation may or may not exist. Some of the scenarios below indicate the possibility of cause and effect, and some don't.

A study of 50 cities in North America finds a strong correlation (r = .75) between the number of teachers employed in a city and the dog food sales in the city. Are the teachers encouraging people to buy dog food? Are there any other factors or causes to consider?
A study of 30 developing nations finds a strong correlation (r = .82) between the number of radio stations per capita and the number of new cancer cases reported each year. Do radio stations cause cancer? Are there any other factors or causes to consider?

Answer 1

Correlation does not imply causation. The strong correlation found between the number of teachers employed in a city and dog food sales does not prove that teachers are encouraging people to buy dog food.

Step-by-step explanation:

Correlation does not imply causation. While a strong correlation between two variables may indicate a relationship, it does not prove that one variable causes changes in another. In the case of the study on the number of teachers employed in a city and dog food sales, the correlation does not necessarily mean that teachers are encouraging people to buy dog food. There could be other factors or causes to consider, such as the economic conditions or pet ownership rates in the city.

Similarly, in the study on the number of radio stations per capita and the number of new cancer cases reported each year, the correlation does not mean that radio stations cause cancer. There may be other factors or causes to consider, such as environmental factors or the prevalence of certain risk factors in the developing nations.