Eugenia will be using a correlational study to examine the relationship between physical attractiveness and marital satisfaction.Which of the following is a major limitation of Eugenia's chosen research method?
A) She will not be able to demonstrate that one of these variables is causing the other.
B) She will not be able to assess the strength of the association between these variables.
C) She will not be able to determine whether the variables are positively or negatively related.
D) She will not be able to discern whether one variable is predictive of the other.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A correlational study can only show that two variables are related or associated with each other, but it cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between them. In other words, Eugenia will not be able to demonstrate that physical attractiveness is the cause of marital satisfaction or vice versa. Correlation does not imply causation.

Eugenia Will Be Using a Correlational Study to Examine the Relationship