The third-variable problem means that:
A) a correlational study with fewer than three variables is invalid.
B) if two predictor variables are shown to be important predictors of the value of a criterion variable, then there is probably a third important predictor variable as well.
C) in a correlational study there may be a third, unobserved variable that actually causes changes in the observed variables.
D) None of the answers is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The third-variable problem refers to the possibility that an unobserved variable may be influencing the variables being studied, leading to a spurious correlation between them.

The Third-Variable Problem Means That