Question

listed below are annual data for various years. the data are weights (metric tons) of imported lemons and car crash fatality rates per 100,000 population. construct a scatterplot, find the value of the linear correlation coefficient r, and find the p - value using α = 0.05. is there sufficient evidence to conclude that there is a linear correlation between lemon imports and crash fatality rates? do the results suggest that imported lemons cause car fatalities?
lemon imports: 228, 265, 359, 482, 534
crash fatality rate: 15.8, 15.7, 15.4, 15.3, 14.9

because the p - value is greater than the significance level 0.05, there is not sufficient evidence to support the claim that there is a linear correlation between lemon imports and crash fatality rates for a significance level of α = 0.05.
do the results suggest that imported lemons cause car fatalities?
a. the results suggest that imported lemons cause car fatalities.
b. the results do not suggest any cause - effect relationship between the two variables.
c. the results suggest that an increase in imported lemons causes an increase in car fatality rates.
d. the results suggest that an increase in imported lemons causes car fatality rates to remain the same.

Explanation:

To determine if imported lemons cause car fatalities, we analyze the correlation result. A linear correlation (even if found) does not imply causation. Since we already concluded there's no sufficient evidence for a linear correlation, and even if there was a correlation, correlation ≠ causation. So the results don't suggest a cause - effect relationship between the two variables.

Answer:

B. The results do not suggest any cause - effect relationship between the two variables.