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It’s simpler than that: typically there is an underlying factor that causes both the unemployment and the divorce. It could be depression, sustance abuse, poor
by dlkf 4y ago
It’s simpler than that: typically there is an underlying factor that causes both the unemployment and the divorce. It could be depression, sustance abuse, poor impulse control, anxiety disorders, any number of things. You can’t control for all of these. Some are hard to measure, some will yeild inaccurate measurements because the men in the study lie (or don’t even realize they have this problem) etc.
- htag 4y agoThis is called the third variable problem. It occurs when unobserved variables account for a correlation in studied variables. Virtually every correlation study can be criticized through this method. Modern correlation studies 'account for' or 'control for' all observed variables in an attempt to prevent criticism along this line. This type of correlation study exists essentially to say "this correlation is interesting", and spark investigation as to why they are correlated. Sociology is primarily correlation studies because of the logistical and ethical challenges around experimentation. For example, if we could force a randomly selected group of males to be unemployed we could avoid the third variable problem and establish causation. However no ethics review board would consider "I'm curious if your marriage will survive" a valid reason to fire someone.
- heavenlyblue 4y ago> However no ethics review board would consider "I'm curious if your marriage will survive" a valid reason to fire someone. It's not just ethics, people may figure out what you are doing and change their behaviour.