Imagine That a Researcher Finds a Statistically Significant Positive Correlation

Multiple Choice

Imagine that a researcher finds a statistically significant positive correlation between how much time couples spend doing fun things together each week and their relationship satisfaction.Although the researcher concludes that spending more time doing fun things together boosts relationship satisfaction,there are many alternative explanations for these correlational results.Which of the following reflects the third-variable problem?

A) Couples who are satisfied in their relationships are more eager to spend time doing fun things together.
B) Having greater financial resources allows couples to do more fun things together and enhances relationship satisfaction (e.g., by removing financial stress or by supporting therapy) .
C) The sample size in the study was too small, so the statistically significant correlation may have been a fluke.
D) The researchers evaluated time doing fun things together with a self-report question and therefore do not know whether this measure accurately reflects how they spent their time.