Use the following information for questions:
An observational study found a statistically significant relationship between regular consumption of tomato products (yes, no) and development of prostate cancer (yes, no), with lower risk for those consuming tomato products.
-Which of the following is not a possible explanation for this finding?
A) Something in tomato products causes lower risk of prostate cancer.
B) There is a confounding variable that causes lower risk of prostate cancer, such as eating vegetables in general, that is also related to eating tomato products.
C) A large number of food products were measured to test for a relationship, and tomato products happened to show a relationship just by chance.
D) A large sample size was used, so even if there were no relationship, one would almost certainly be detected.

Question

Use the following information for questions:
 An observational study found a statistically significant relationship between regular consumption of tomato products (yes, no) and development of prostate cancer (yes, no), with lower risk for those consuming tomato products.
-Which of the following is not a possible explanation for this finding?
A) Something in tomato products causes lower risk of prostate cancer.
B) There is a confounding variable that causes lower risk of prostate cancer, such as eating vegetables in general, that is also related to eating tomato products.
C) A large number of food products were measured to test for a relationship, and tomato products happened to show a relationship just by chance.
D) A large sample size was used, so even if there were no relationship, one would almost certainly be detected.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Explanation: A large sample size increases the reliability of study results and reduces the likelihood of finding a significant relationship by chance. It does not inherently guarantee that a relationship will be detected if none exists, unlike the other options which are plausible explanations for the observed relationship.

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