If a researcher wants to examine the direction of a relationship between two variables such that he or she posits that one variable causes the other, what type of statistical procedure would be used?
A) Correlation
B) ANOVA
C) Repeated measures
D) Path analysis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Path analysis is used to examine the direction of a relationship between two variables and determine whether one variable causes the other. It allows the researcher to test a hypothesized causal model by analyzing the relationships among multiple variables simultaneously. Correlation only examines the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, while ANOVA and repeated measures are used to compare group means or differences within subjects over time, respectively.

If a Researcher Wants to Examine the Direction of a Relationship