Jeff says, “It seems like the more money people make, the more debt they assume,” but a/an __________ study might make the case that a rise in income does not by itself cause an increase in debt.
Check this site.
http://web.bsu.edu/dlb/t/science/method/interpret.htm
Jeff's statement suggests a correlation between increased income and increased debt. To evaluate whether this statement is accurate, we need a study that can provide evidence in support or against this claim. Such a study would be called a "counterfactual" study.
To conduct a counterfactual study, we would gather information about individuals' income levels and their corresponding debt levels. We would then compare these data points to identify if there is a consistent pattern or relationship between income and debt.
If the study finds that, on average, people with higher incomes have higher levels of debt, it would support Jeff's claim. Conversely, if the study shows that income does not directly cause an increase in debt, it would contradict Jeff's statement.
Ultimately, the need for a counterfactual study arises from the desire to determine whether there is a causal relationship between income and debt or if other factors are contributing to the observed correlation.