Question

A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between ice cream sales and shark attacks. This is a classic example of:

• A. spurious correlation
• B. A negative correlation
• C. An experimental result
• D. A causal relationship

Answer 1

Answer:

A. spurious correlation

• This is a famous example of a spurious correlation, where two variables are statistically related but not causally linked.

• The hidden variable is likely "summer weather," which increases both ice cream sales and the number of people swimming in the ocean.