Question

Consider the following fictional examples of correlations found in research. In each example, the researcher explains the correlation by inferring causality. For each example, please provide at least two other possible explanations as to why the relationship exists. Consider the reverse causality or other external variables in your explanation. Think critically and creatively!

1) A researcher finds that there is positive correlation between watching violence on T.V. and violent behavior in adolescence. He stipulates that watching violence on T.V. causes violent behavior in adolescents.

2) A research study determines that there is a negative correlation between GPA and number of sexual partners among college students. The researchers explain that studying more/having a higher GPA cause college students to be less sexually active.

3) A professor in a nursing program finds that students who choose to spend more of their rotation hours in an oncology ward rate higher on a scale that measures level of compassion. He postulates that training in an oncology ward causes increases in compassion levels.

4) A political science researcher finds that there is a negative correlation between level of education and amount of donation to political campaigns. She determines that getting a higher education causes decreased desire to donate to political campaigns.

Answer 1

1)There could be a possitive correlation between watching violence and violent behaviour but it is not good to conclude watching violence causes violent behaviour. The reverse could be true. Violent behaviour can cause to watch more violence TV. Or both could be results of hormonal changes occuring during adolescence . An adolescent person is unsure of want they want in life and both could be a result of that unsurety.

2) Negative correlation between GPA and number of sexual partners among collge students could be because students who study more have more commited long term partners than college students with low GPA. So we cant conclude that studying more causes students to be sexually active. It could also simple be because of the time spent after studying is very small that students with high GPA dont have time to be sexually active.

Or it could be because low GPA students choose to have multiple partners during the same period with no commited relations.

Or it could be that students who are more serioud about college and life tend to focus more on studies than sexual partners.

3) Students who spend more time on oncology ward rate higher on compassion levels. It is not wise to conculde that spending more time on oncology ward leads to higher compassion levels. It could be the reverse that compassionate students tends to spend more time on oncology wards.

Or it could be an external factor that those students who spend more time on oncology wards have relatives with similar cases whom they care about and can relate with patients.

It could also be simply because the measure of compassion is biased and simply favors students with more experience in oncology ward.

4) Cant conculde that getting a higher education causes decreased desire to donate to political campaigns. It could simply be bacause people who have higher education are more busy with their jobs an have less time to be interested in political campaigns.

It could also be because people with lower education donotes more to campaigns to make the winning party do their bidding and support illegal activities,

It could also be because politicians in general tend to be less educated and their friends and relatives who might be also less educated tend to support them more. It can also be incorrect conclusion because people with higher education where not readily available to sample for the study and who were sampled were exceptions.

I have gone throgh enough points in each. Hope it inspires you in newer ideas.