Vito finds a correlation of −0.35 between procrastination behaviors and academic achievement. Which of the following is an appropriate conclusion for Vito to draw?
A) Procrastination leads students to perform more poorly.
B) Poor academic performance causes more procrastination.
C) Elimination of procrastination behaviors will lead students to perform better.
D) As a student procrastinates more, her academic achievement decreases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correlation of -0.35 indicates a negative relationship between procrastination behaviors and academic achievement, meaning as one increases, the other tends to decrease. However, correlation does not imply causation, so we cannot conclude that one causes the other, only that they are related in a way described by option D.

Vito Finds a Correlation of −0