Question

If we calculate a correlation coefficient and we find that there is a relationship between the two variables, we

Group of answer choices

a. cannot conclude that changes in one variable cause changes in the other variable.

b. know, without referring to the study, that an experimental design was used.

c. know that the data must be interval or ratio.

d. can conclude that changes in one variable cause changes in the other variable.

Answer 1

A correlation coefficient indicating a relationship between two variables does not imply causation; it only suggests an association, and experimental research is necessary to establish a causal link.

Step-by-step explanation:

When we calculate a correlation coefficient and find that there is a relationship between two variables, we cannot conclude that changes in one variable cause changes in the other variable.

Correlation simply indicates that there is an association between the variables; as one changes, it is observed that the other tends to change as well. This does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the variables.

For instance, while correlational research might suggest a link between smoking and cancer, it is insufficient to demonstrate causation without experimental research that would control for confounding variables. Hence, even if it seems intuitive that one variable causes the other, without experimental evidence, making such a claim would be overstepping.