Question

Which of the following is a methodological limitation of correlation studies?

• A. They cannot show if a relationship exists.
• B. They can only be used with quantitative data.
• C. They are too complex for most research.
• D. They cannot prove causation.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. They cannot prove causation.

• This is a crucial point in correlation methodology. While correlation can show that two variables are related, it cannot definitively prove that one variable causes the other.

• There might be a third, unmeasured variable (a "confounding variable") that is responsible for the observed relationship.