You are studying homicide rates in a major city,and your data seem to be indicating something quite peculiar.You notice that ice cream consumption seems to be correlated with an increase in murder rates.Upon more careful reflection,you recall that murder rates tend to rise in the summer time,when people are outside more (and,consequently,eating more ice cream).Your first conclusion is an example of __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first conclusion that ice cream consumption is correlated with an increase in murder rates is an example of a spurious relationship. This means that there appears to be a relationship between two variables (in this case, ice cream consumption and murder rates) but it is actually due to a third variable (in this case, the summer season). It is important to consider potential confounding variables before making conclusions based on correlations.

You Are Studying Homicide Rates in a Major City,and Your