For the next questions, identify the choice that contains a conclusion with a common correlation error.
-Given: There is a linear correlation coefficient very close to 0 between mothers who smoked during pregnancy and the incidence of influenza in their babies
A) Conclusion: the frequency of mothers' smoking is not related in any way to the incidence of influenza in their babies
B) Conclusion: an increase in the frequency of mothers' smoking is not linearly related to an increase in the incidence of influenza in their babies
C) Conclusion: a decrease in the frequency of mothers' smoking is not linearly related to a decrease in the incidence of influenza in their babies
D) Conclusion: there is not a linear relationship between the frequency of mothers' smoking and the incidence of influenza in their babies

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conclusion in choice A makes a common correlation error by suggesting that a correlation coefficient close to 0 implies no relationship at all, rather than specifically no linear relationship.

For the Next Questions, Identify the Choice That Contains a Conclusion