Which of the following interpretations is acceptable as worded?
A) Findings suggest that cholesterol levels influence cardiac blood flow.
B) Results demonstrate that lithium has hazardous side effects in all humans.
C) The positive correlation between age and reaction time indicates that age is a causal factor in automobile accidents.
D) The study proved that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Researchers can never prove things using inferential reasoning; they can never be certain their reasoning is correct. Correlations do not indicate causality; they simply express a relationship. Because of the limitations of research and the diversity of humans, the ability to generalize findings to "all" members of a population is not possible.
Findings can never be applied to all humans.
Correlation does not equate with causation.
The study cannot prove that something is the case; it can only support the likelihood.

Which of the Following Interpretations Is Acceptable as Worded