In the situation below, tell whether a correlation is likely. If it is, tell whether the correlation reflects a causal relationship. Explain your reasoning.
a person's shoe size and the number of times a person has failed the 6th grade.
Part 1
Is there likely to be a correlation in this situation. Choose the correct answer below.
A.
Yes, there is likely to be a positive correlation in this situation.
B.
Yes, there is likely to be a negative correlation in this situation.
C.
No, there is not likely to be any correlation in this situation.
C. No, there is not likely to be any correlation in this situation.
There is no logical connection between a person's shoe size and the number of times a person has failed the 6th grade. These two variables are unrelated and therefore, it is unlikely that there would be any correlation between them.
Part 2
Tell whether the correlation reflects a causal relationship. Explain your reasoning. Choose the correct answer below.
A.
There is not likely to be a correlation in the situation.
B. Since having bigger causes people to fail the 6th grade more often, there is a causal relationship.
C. Since failing the 6th grade more often causes people to have bigger feet, there is a causal relationship.
D.
Although there is a correlation, there is no causal relationship in the situation.
D. Although there is a correlation, there is no causal relationship in the situation.
There is no logical or scientific explanation to suggest that the size of a person's feet would have any impact on their academic performance or the number of times they fail the 6th grade. Therefore, while it is possible that a correlation may exist between shoe size and the number of times a person has failed the 6th grade, there is no evidence to suggest a causal relationship between the two variables.
In order to determine whether there is likely to be a correlation in this situation, we need to assess the relationship between a person's shoe size and the number of times a person has failed the 6th grade.
To do this, we might gather data from a sample of individuals where their shoe sizes and the number of times they have failed the 6th grade are recorded. We could then plot this data on a scatter plot to visually assess any potential relationship between the two variables.
Given the nature of the variables involved, there is no apparent reason why a person's shoe size and the number of times they have failed the 6th grade would be connected. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that there is likely to be no correlation in this situation.
The correct answer is C - No, there is not likely to be any correlation in this situation.