Question

“Can using artificial sweeteners increase your BMI?”

A). Identify the implied dependent and independent variables.

B). Does the headline demonstrate a positive or negative correlation between the two?

C). Is there a plausible mechanism (confounding factor) through which we could explain why the independent variable has a

causal impact on the outcome?

D). Now try to think of reasons why this could be a spurious relationship instead and construct alternative explanations.

Answer 1

A.) Dependent variable - BMI

Independent variable - artificial sweetner.

b.) Headline demonstrates a positive correlation as the BMI is suspected to increase with increase in artificial sweetners.

c.) A confounding factor could be the low metabolism levels. Since artificial sweetners use certain chemicals they could harm the health by disturbing the metabolism which in turn can lead to increase in BMI

D.) May be the people examined are diabetics who have a tendency to eat sugar so they use such zero calorie artificial sweetners and high BMI.