To analyze the effect of a federal stimulus package, researchers are going to compare it against consumer spending for one year, beginning six months before the stimulus took effect and ending six months after it took effect. The researchers are looking to see if the stimulus caused notable jumps in spending. What is one possible lurking variable for which the researchers must account in order to analyze the data correctly?
A)How popular the stimulus was
B)The most noteworthy consumer products during that time
C)Holiday spending
D)Which parties control the executive and legislative branches

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Holiday spending is a lurking variable for which researchers must account in any study of financial events during the course of a year. American consumer spending always increases in November and December because of the holiday season, and failing to account for that might lead researchers to falsely attribute this spending increase to the stimulus package.

To Analyze the Effect of a Federal Stimulus Package, Researchers