Mr. Jones, a physical education teacher, notices that some of his students are better basketball players than others. He wonders if having a basketball net at home fosters the development of basketball skills. He gives his students a short survey that asks them if they have a basketball net at home. Sure enough, Mr. Jones finds that the better basketball players are more likely to have a net at home. He concludes that having a basketball net at home facilitates the development of basketball skills. Is his conclusion appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mr. Jones's conclusion is not appropriate because he did not conduct an experimental study that could establish causality. His observation only shows a correlation between having a basketball net at home and better basketball skills, not that one causes the other.

Mr Jones, a Physical Education Teacher, Notices That Some of His