A researcher observes that the frequency of traffic accidents increases in warmer weather.This researcher need to consider whether there are more cars on the road when it is warmer.This "number of cars" variable must be considered to determine if the relationship between traffic accidents and temperature is
A) due to selective survival.
B) spurious.
C) a causal relationship.
D) due to physical traces.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order to establish a causal relationship between traffic accidents and temperature, the researcher needs to control for potential confounding variables. If there are more cars on the road during warmer weather, then the relationship between traffic accidents and temperature may be spurious, meaning that it appears to be causal, but is actually due to a third variable (number of cars) that is affecting both of the observed variables (traffic accidents and temperature). Thus, the researcher needs to consider the potential confounding variable of number of cars to determine if the relationship between traffic accidents and temperature is spurious.

A Researcher Observes That the Frequency of Traffic Accidents Increases