MATHS Assignment- Correlation and
Causation
Week 8 Assignment: Correlation and Causation
Understand the difference between correlation and causation
Question
True or False: The more samples taken in a scientific study, the longer
the amount of time it will take to complete the research on the samples.
Although there are other factors that affect study time, such as
experience and equipment, increasing the number of samples will
cause an increase in research time Correct! You nailed it.
Understand the difference between correlation and causation
Question
Suppose that a large controlled experiment tests whether caffeine
improves reaction times. A very large number of randomly selected
participants are randomly given identical-seeming pills with varying
doses of caffeine (including none) and then given tests of reaction times
under the same conditions. The experiment finds a strong negative
correlation between caffeine dose and reaction time. (Note that lower
reaction times are better.) Correct answer:
Correlation alone does not prove causation, but this scenario provides
more evidence than just correlation between two variables. Since the
data were obtained from an appropriately randomized controlled
experiment, a correlation can be used as evidence of a causal
relationship. Since all other variables were controlled, there is no third
variable that could be associated with caffeine that actually causes
differences in reaction times. Yes that's right. Keep it up!
Interpret the slope and y-intercept of the least squares regression line
Question
Which of the following situations could have a regression line with a
negative y- intercept?
Select all that apply: Great work! That's correct.
• The present value of an insurance policy as a function of the age
of the ensured person if the person purchases the policy when he or she
is 50 years old.
•
• The number of millions of barrels of oil in an oil field as a
, function of the number of years the oil field has been in
production.
•
Causation
Week 8 Assignment: Correlation and Causation
Understand the difference between correlation and causation
Question
True or False: The more samples taken in a scientific study, the longer
the amount of time it will take to complete the research on the samples.
Although there are other factors that affect study time, such as
experience and equipment, increasing the number of samples will
cause an increase in research time Correct! You nailed it.
Understand the difference between correlation and causation
Question
Suppose that a large controlled experiment tests whether caffeine
improves reaction times. A very large number of randomly selected
participants are randomly given identical-seeming pills with varying
doses of caffeine (including none) and then given tests of reaction times
under the same conditions. The experiment finds a strong negative
correlation between caffeine dose and reaction time. (Note that lower
reaction times are better.) Correct answer:
Correlation alone does not prove causation, but this scenario provides
more evidence than just correlation between two variables. Since the
data were obtained from an appropriately randomized controlled
experiment, a correlation can be used as evidence of a causal
relationship. Since all other variables were controlled, there is no third
variable that could be associated with caffeine that actually causes
differences in reaction times. Yes that's right. Keep it up!
Interpret the slope and y-intercept of the least squares regression line
Question
Which of the following situations could have a regression line with a
negative y- intercept?
Select all that apply: Great work! That's correct.
• The present value of an insurance policy as a function of the age
of the ensured person if the person purchases the policy when he or she
is 50 years old.
•
• The number of millions of barrels of oil in an oil field as a
, function of the number of years the oil field has been in
production.
•
