A town committee learns that there is a strong negative correlation between the number of inches of daily rainfall and the number of children who use the neighborhood playgrounds each day. If the committee were to conclude that high rainfall is caused by children not using the playground, which type of problem would MOST likely be occurring?
A) third-variable
B) direction-of-correlation
C) direction-of-causation
D) insufficient-knowledge

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given statement implies a causal relationship between high rainfall and low playground use which is assuming direction-of-causation. However, the negative correlation could be a result of a third variable, such as bad weather conditions in general, that affects both rainfall and playground use. Therefore, the committee is making a causal inference without having sufficient knowledge, which is leading to an incorrect conclusion.

A Town Committee Learns That There Is a Strong Negative