A researcher reports an inverse relationship between weight and exercise level for a group of 8-year-old children (greater weight is associated with less exercise).However,the researcher suspects that the children's rate of metabolism may be responsible for the relationship.That is,children with higher metabolism exercise more and weigh less than children with lower metabolism.This is an example of
A)the third-variable problem.
B)the directionality problem.
C)the reversal problem.
D)the criterion problem.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given scenario is an example of the third-variable problem, where a correlation between two variables may be spurious and caused by a third variable that affects both variables being studied. In this case, the researcher suspects that metabolism is the third variable that affects both weight and exercise level.

A Researcher Reports an Inverse Relationship Between Weight and Exercise