A study conducted at Cornell University concluded that a possible link existed between TV viewing and autism in children.Researchers looked at two factors leading them to their conclusions.First, the researchers looked at autism rates in specific counties.Results indicated that as rainfall increased, so too did rates of autism, and conversely as rainfall decreased, so too did rates of autism.The researchers found this interesting because prior research reported that children watch more TV when it is raining.Second, the researchers looked at the percentage of households with cable TV subscriptions.Results indicated that as cable TV subscriptions increased, so too did rates of autism, and, conversely, as cable TV subscriptions decreased, so too did rates of autism.The researchers combined these two results to conclude there is a link between watching TV and autism.However in this study, population size was an) ____________ variable that needed to be considered.
A)extraneous
B)nuisance
C)attrition
D)history

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Population size may have an impact on the results of the study. Counties with larger populations may have more access to cable TV or may have different environmental factors that could affect rates of autism. This means that population size is an extraneous variable that should be considered to determine if the relationship between TV viewing and autism is causal or if there are other factors at play.

A Study Conducted at Cornell University Concluded That a Possible