Question

which of the following is considered evidence that a contributory cause exists?
the cause is associated with the effect, occurs before the effect, and altering the cause changes the effect
the cause and effect appear together only by chance
the cause is biologically plausible but untestable
the cause sometimes follows the effect but is related statistically

Explanation:

For a contributory cause, there should be an association (the cause is related to the effect), a temporal relationship (the cause occurs before the effect), and a demonstration that manipulating the cause can change the effect. If the cause and effect appear together only by chance, there is no real causal link. A biologically plausible but untestable cause lacks empirical support for being a contributory cause. A cause that sometimes follows the effect violates the basic temporal - cause - before - effect principle for a cause.

Answer:

The cause is associated with the effect, occurs before the effect, and altering the cause changes the effect.