APFIVE A chi-square test for independence was conducted on data from a survey of 500 people to investigate the relationship between party affiliation (Democrat, Republican, Independent) and support for a new policy (Support, Oppose). The test resulted in a chi-square statistic of 15.2 and a p-value of 0.004. Based on these results, the researcher concluded that a person’s party affiliation causes their level of support for the policy. Which of the following describes the error in the researcher’s conclusion?
The mistake is in calculating the chi-square statistic; with a sample this size, the statistic should be lower.
The error is in inferring causation from a test that only establishes association between the variables.
The error is applying the chi-square test to non-categorical data, which makes the conclusion invalid.
There is no mistake; a significant p-value directly implies a causal relationship between the variables.
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