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Chapter 5 · Data Analysis: A Concise Overview of Statistical Techniques · Slide 180/274

Cross-Tabulations

Case 1 · the third variable

5.1.4 · Cross-TabulationsCase 1 · the third variable

Cross-Tabulations


Case 1Spurious
relationship
Does ownership of expensive car brands depend on level of education?
Ownership of expensive car brands by level of education and income level
Ownership of an
expensive car
High incomeLow income
College degreeNo college degreeCollege degreeNo college degree
yes20 %20 %40 %40 %
no80 %80 %60 %60 %
Total100 %100 %100 %100 %
Number of cases10070015050
Is the relationship still there?
No — within each income group, car ownership is the same (20% and 40% respectively). The relationship with level of education was spurious; in fact, income is what matters.
QUESTIONSTAR · Dr. Paul Marx180 / 274
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