If a high positive correlation was found between the number of churches in a city and the number of murders, the most likely explanation would be that:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A high positive correlation between two variables does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship. In this case, it is unlikely that the presence of churches would directly cause an increase in the number of murders. It is more likely that both variables are influenced by a third variable, such as poverty or drug use, that contributes to both the need for churches and the prevalence of crime.

If a High Positive Correlation Was Found Between the Number