Pick a sample problem where despite a high correlation between two quantitative variables why causation cannot be a reasonable argument. Explain it in your own words

MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications
6th Edition
ISBN:9781119256830
Author:Amos Gilat
Publisher:Amos Gilat
Chapter1: Starting With Matlab
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1P
icon
Related questions
Question

2. please Pick a sample problem where despite a high correlation between two quantitative variables why causation cannot be a reasonable argument. Explain it in your own words

Why doesn't correlation mean causation?
Even if there is a correlation between two variables, we cannot conclude that one variable causes a change in the
other. This relationship could be coincidental, or a third factor may be causing both variables to change.
For example, Liam collected data on the sales of ice cream cones and air conditioners in his hometown. He found
that when ice cream sales were low, air conditioner sales tended to be low and that when ice cream sales were high,
air conditioner sales tended to be high.
• Liam can conclude that sales of ice cream cones and air conditioners are positively correlated.
• Liam can't conclude that selling more ice cream cones causes more air conditioners to be sold. It is likely that the
increases in the sales of both ice cream cones and air conditioners are caused by a third factor, an increase in
temperature!
Reference: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/praxis-math/praxis-math-lessons/gtp--praxis-math--lessons--
statistics-and-probability/a/gtp--praxis-math--article--correlation-and-causation--lesson
Your Task:
Pick a sample problem where despite a high correlation between two quantitative variables why causation cannot
be a reasonable argument. Explain it in your own words
Hint: Think of examples where there is a strong correlation between variables where neither could be causing the
other. Feel free to use charts if you want to help explain your example better.
Transcribed Image Text:Why doesn't correlation mean causation? Even if there is a correlation between two variables, we cannot conclude that one variable causes a change in the other. This relationship could be coincidental, or a third factor may be causing both variables to change. For example, Liam collected data on the sales of ice cream cones and air conditioners in his hometown. He found that when ice cream sales were low, air conditioner sales tended to be low and that when ice cream sales were high, air conditioner sales tended to be high. • Liam can conclude that sales of ice cream cones and air conditioners are positively correlated. • Liam can't conclude that selling more ice cream cones causes more air conditioners to be sold. It is likely that the increases in the sales of both ice cream cones and air conditioners are caused by a third factor, an increase in temperature! Reference: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/praxis-math/praxis-math-lessons/gtp--praxis-math--lessons-- statistics-and-probability/a/gtp--praxis-math--article--correlation-and-causation--lesson Your Task: Pick a sample problem where despite a high correlation between two quantitative variables why causation cannot be a reasonable argument. Explain it in your own words Hint: Think of examples where there is a strong correlation between variables where neither could be causing the other. Feel free to use charts if you want to help explain your example better.
Expert Solution
Step 1

Given information:

Correlation and Causation

trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications
MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications
Statistics
ISBN:
9781119256830
Author:
Amos Gilat
Publisher:
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Probability and Statistics for Engineering and th…
Probability and Statistics for Engineering and th…
Statistics
ISBN:
9781305251809
Author:
Jay L. Devore
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Statistics for The Behavioral Sciences (MindTap C…
Statistics for The Behavioral Sciences (MindTap C…
Statistics
ISBN:
9781305504912
Author:
Frederick J Gravetter, Larry B. Wallnau
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World (7th E…
Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World (7th E…
Statistics
ISBN:
9780134683416
Author:
Ron Larson, Betsy Farber
Publisher:
PEARSON
The Basic Practice of Statistics
The Basic Practice of Statistics
Statistics
ISBN:
9781319042578
Author:
David S. Moore, William I. Notz, Michael A. Fligner
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Introduction to the Practice of Statistics
Introduction to the Practice of Statistics
Statistics
ISBN:
9781319013387
Author:
David S. Moore, George P. McCabe, Bruce A. Craig
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman