Hypothetically, the correlation coefficient between property crime rates per 1,0
ID: 3443633 • Letter: H
Question
Hypothetically, the correlation coefficient between property crime rates per 1,000 persons and average household income in Chicago neighborhoods is a +.80. Can one then conclude that income levels cause property crime rates?
Yes, because the households with higher incomes are at greater risk of property crimes because those households can buy more stuff (more stuff, more stuff to steal)!
Yes, because the households with lower incomes are at greater risk of property crimes because those households can buy more stuff (more stuff, more stuff to steal)!
No, one could not conclude that income levels cause property crime rates because correlations only reflect association, not causality. One could say that the two variables are associated with each other.
No, one could not conclude that income levels cause property crime rates because more people are using anti-theft devices.
Yes, because the households with higher incomes are at greater risk of property crimes because those households can buy more stuff (more stuff, more stuff to steal)!
Yes, because the households with lower incomes are at greater risk of property crimes because those households can buy more stuff (more stuff, more stuff to steal)!
No, one could not conclude that income levels cause property crime rates because correlations only reflect association, not causality. One could say that the two variables are associated with each other.
No, one could not conclude that income levels cause property crime rates because more people are using anti-theft devices.
Explanation / Answer
Correct Answer - C
The correlation is only an association between variables and does not necessarily imply causation. In this case, the correlation coefficient of +.80 means that there is high positive correlation between the income levels and crime in Chicago neighborhoods. This means that there is high level of association between the crime rate and income levels but does not mean that a certain level of income causes crime to happen.
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