________ occurs when the direction of cause and effect is mixed up in a study.
A) Adverse causality
B) Reverse causality
C) Omitted variable bias
D) Limited information bias

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reverse causality occurs when the researcher mistakes the dependent variable for the independent variable or vice versa, leading to an error in the cause and effect relationship. For example, a study may find a correlation between ice cream sales and crime rates, but the direction of causality is mixed up - it is not that ice cream sales cause crime or vice versa, but rather that both variables are influenced by a third variable such as temperature. Thus, reverse causality is a common problem in correlational studies.

________ Occurs When the Direction of Cause and Effect Is