Dr.Ayers conducts a correlational study examining the relationship between ice cream consumption and death by drowning.She finds that there appears to be a strong relationship between these two variables.Which of the following conclusions would be inappropriate for Dr.Ayers to make?
A) Eating more ice cream causes people to drown.
B) When people eat more ice cream there appears to be an increased risk of drowning.
C) When people do not eat ice cream, their risk of drowning tends to decrease.
D) It appears that the variables of eating ice cream and drowning are related to each other.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Correlation does not equal causation, therefore it would be inappropriate to conclude that eating more ice cream causes people to drown. The correlation could be influenced by other factors such as warmer weather or increased swimming activity during summer months when ice cream consumption also tends to be higher.

Answer: B, C, D
 These conclusions are appropriate based on the correlational study. The study found a strong relationship between ice cream consumption and death by drowning, but it does not establish causality. It is possible that a third variable, such as temperature or swimming habits, could be influencing both ice cream consumption and drowning.

DrAyers Conducts a Correlational Study Examining the Relationship Between Ice