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, 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 drawn about ice cream consumption being correlated with an increase in murder rates is an example of a spurious relationship. It is not a causal relationship, but rather, an association that is coincidental and influenced by a third variable (in this case, the summer season).

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