A correlation coefficient shows that smoking and life expectancy are indeed related. As a result, a researcher could predict that __________ if the direction of the relationship is known.
A) if a person smokes a lot of cigarettes, he or she will have less money monthly to buy gas
B) the person's life expectancy will go up or down based on the number of cigarettes the person smokes daily
C) if a person smokes cigarettes, he or she will eventually develop lung cancer
D) a person's lungs will repair themselves and he or she will live a longer life

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient indicates a relationship between smoking and life expectancy, but does not necessarily indicate causation. However, if the direction of the relationship is known (e.g. smoking causes decreased life expectancy), the researcher could predict that the person's life expectancy will go up or down based on the number of cigarettes the person smokes daily. Therefore, choice B is the best answer. Choices A, C, and D are not necessarily valid predictions based solely on the correlation coefficient.

A Correlation Coefficient Shows That Smoking and Life Expectancy Are