A researcher is interested in explaining variation in people's incomes. He hypothesizes that income is caused...

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A researcher is interested in explaining variation in people'sincomes. He hypothesizes that income is caused by number of friendsin a person's social network. He conducts a correlation analysis(Pearson's r) between personal income (Y) and number of friends aperson has (X). He finds a strong, statistically significantrelationship between the two variables. The computation ofPearson's r and hypothesis testing statistics are correct and thisdecision the decision to reject the null is correct. Bases on theseresults, he then draws the additional conclusion: \"Therefore, it isclear that the number of friends a person has causes a person'sincome level.\"
Please evaluate the researcher's additionalconclusion/interpretation: a. Is it appropriate or not appropriatefor the research to make this additional claim based on the testused? Why or why not?

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4.4 Ratings (838 Votes)

If the correlation is significant then the only linear relationship is meaningful but we can not draw any conclusion on causation of two variables merely based on correlation So additional See Answer

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