A study shows that, over the course of a lifetime, the average salary of college graduates is greater than the average salary of people with only a high school diploma. The results were published claiming that graduating from college ensures you will make more money over the course of your lifetime. What is the problem with reporting results this way?

Missing data

Correlation and causality

Question

Mathematics

Nancy Cooley

23 July, 07:34

A study shows that, over the course of a lifetime, the average salary of college graduates is greater than the average salary of people with only a high school diploma. The results were published claiming that graduating from college ensures you will make more money over the course of your lifetime. What is the problem with reporting results this way?

Missing data

Correlation and causality

+2

Answers (1)

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Thyme · Answer 1

Answer: The word "ensures" implies that it is certain.

In the case of the study, they simply found that the average salary is greater for college graduates. This doesn't mean that in every case the college graduate makes more money.

The problem is the word "ensures". Our study doesn't show certainty only a general pattern.