Samir is conducting a correlational study, and he cannot determine whether one variable causes another. One reason is that the additional variables that he did not study could influence the variables he did study. This reflects the problem with:
A) selection bias
B) response accuracy
C) the third variable problem
D) the occurrence of random error

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The third variable problem refers to the possibility of an unmeasured variable affecting the relationship between two measured variables, making it difficult to determine causality. This is the problem that Samir is facing in his correlational study, as he cannot determine if one variable caused another or if there is a third variable affecting the relationship. Selection bias refers to the bias introduced when participants are not representative of the population of interest, response accuracy refers to the accuracy of the responses given by participants, and random error refers to the variability in measurements that is due to chance. None of these problems specifically relate to the issue of determining causality in correlational studies.

Samir Is Conducting a Correlational Study, and He Cannot Determine