Spurious or intervening relationships among variables are indicated by a pattern of outcomes in which the bivariate relationship is the same across all partial tables and________.
A) the same as in the original bivariate table.
B) much weaker than in the bivariate table.
C) much stronger than in the bivariate table.
D) the variables are not associated in the bivariate table.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spurious or intervening relationships occur when the bivariate relationship appears to be strong, but becomes much weaker when controlling for a third variable. This is indicated when the bivariate relationship is the same across all partial tables, but much weaker than in the original bivariate table. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Spurious or Intervening Relationships Among Variables Are Indicated by a Pattern