A researcher is interested in explaining variation in people'sincomes. He hypothesizes that income is caused by number of friendsin a person's social network. He conducts a correlation analysis(Pearson's r) between personal income (Y) and number of friends aperson has (X). He finds a strong, statistically significantrelationship between the two variables. The computation ofPearson's r and hypothesis testing statistics are correct and thisdecision the decision to reject the null is correct. Bases on theseresults, he then draws the additional conclusion: \"Therefore, it isclear that the number of friends a person has causes a person'sincome level.\"
Please evaluate the researcher's additionalconclusion/interpretation: a. Is it appropriate or not appropriatefor the research to make this additional claim based on the testused? Why or why not?
