Use the following information for questions:
An observational study has found that drivers who report that they routinely wear a seatbelt were less likely to have been given a traffic ticket for speeding in the past three years.
-Of the following, which is the most likely explanation for this observed relationship?
A) Police are less likely to stop a driver for speeding when they can see that he or she is wearing a seatbelt.
B) People are less likely to speed when they are wearing a seatbelt.
C) Confounding variables such as age and attention to risk factors in driving cause the same drivers who are likely to wear seatbelts to also be less likely to speed.
D) Relying on memory has created a problem because most people don't remember if they have had a speeding ticket in the past three years.

Question

Use the following information for questions:
 An observational study has found that drivers who report that they routinely wear a seatbelt were less likely to have been given a traffic ticket for speeding in the past three years.
-Of the following, which is the most likely explanation for this observed relationship?
A) Police are less likely to stop a driver for speeding when they can see that he or she is wearing a seatbelt.
B) People are less likely to speed when they are wearing a seatbelt.
C) Confounding variables such as age and attention to risk factors in driving cause the same drivers who are likely to wear seatbelts to also be less likely to speed.
D) Relying on memory has created a problem because most people don't remember if they have had a speeding ticket in the past three years.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Confounding variables such as age and attention to risk factors in driving could cause the same drivers who are likely to wear seatbelts to also be less likely to speed. This explanation accounts for the observed relationship without assuming causation directly between seatbelt use and receiving fewer speeding tickets.

Use the Following Information for Questions