(Last Word) If variables X and Y are positively correlated, this means that
A) X is the cause of Y.
B) Y is the cause of X.
C) causation necessarily exists, but we don't know whether X or Y is the cause.
D) causation may or may not exist between X and Y.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Just because two variables are positively correlated does not necessarily mean there is a causal relationship between them. It is possible that there is another variable or set of variables that are causing both X and Y to increase or decrease together. Therefore, causation may or may not exist between X and Y.

(Last Word) If Variables X and Y Are Positively Correlated