Question

A study finds a positive correlation between the number of traffic lights on the most-used route between two destinations and the average driving time between the two destinations.

Which statement is true?



Responses

a The correlation is most likely due to a lurking variable.
a The correlation is most likely due to a lurking variable.

b The correlation is most likely a causation.
b The correlation is most likely a causation.

c The correlation is most likely a coincidence.

Answer 1

a — The correlation is most likely due to a lurking (confounding) variable.
Longer routes tend to have both more traffic lights and longer driving times, so distance (or route type/urban vs. rural) likely explains the association. Correlation alone does not prove causation.