Urgent Help, Statistics Question, Linear Correlation

Question

Which is the correct answer and explain why please. The answer for this was D. but I thought it was B. and I don't understand why. And what do they mean by "hidden variable," where does it usually occur?

A. There is a strong positive correlation.

B. There is a moderate positive

correlation.

C. There is a strong positive correlation if

the outlier is disregarded.

D. There is a strong positive correlation

with a hidden variable.

Answer 1

Hello, Eliza,

Yes, it is difficult to quickly pick one very clear answer between B and D. But I lean towards D because 1) it is the correct answer, and 2) because of the significant dislocation around x = 5. It is impossible to state with confidence that there is positive moderate correlation, when there is such a sudden jump, with no explanation. So one could say, in general, there is a positive correlation, but there is clearly some other factor affecting the data around x= 5, and I have no idea what it is. (That last part is the English translation of "hidden variable."

Bob