Question

James found a strong relationship between stress and depression in his correlational study. However, he suspects that another variable was responsible for the results. This is an example of the ________ problem.

a. fourth variable
b. fifth variable
c. third variable
d. first variable

Answer 1

c. third variable

Step-by-step explanation:

In an experiment where the relationship between two variables is studied the effect of the change of one variable has on the other variable is observed.

A direct relationship has to be established between the two variables. But, in certain cases one variable causes a change in a third variable which causes a change in the second variable. This makes the relationship between the first and second variable indirect.

Hence, here James is dealing with the issue of the third variable.