Question

Question 174 pts

Dr. Pond wants to examine the relationship between levels of Post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use. She finds a correlation coefficient of .89, which is significant at the .01 alpha level. What is the problem with concluding that PTSD causes alcohol abuse?

Correlation does not equal causation

The causal connection could actually be the opposite: those more likely to abuse alcohol may set themselves up for PTSD. There is no way to know from the correlational data.

There could be another variable, such as exposure to toxins or physical trauma, that was not investigated that is the real cause of both PTSD and alcohol use.

All of these are correct

Answer 1

Answer

(A) It is correct option because we know that correlation does not equal causation. Correlation is just numerical value which shows that there is a relationship, but causation shows that change in one variable causes the change in other variable.

(B) it is correct option because correlation between two variable never tells us which variable is changing due to the other variable. So, causal connection could actually be the opposite. This is called directionality principle

(C) It is also correct option because there might be a chance of third variable problem principle in this case.

Therefore, all three options are correct

Thus, we can say that option D is correct answer