Question

Researchers wanted to know if there is a link between proximity to​ high-tension wires and the rate of leukemia in children. To conduct the​ study, researchers compared the rate of leukemia for children who lived within​ 1/2 mile of​ high-tension wires to the rate of leukemia for children who did not live within​ 1/2 mile of​ high-tension wires. The researchers found that the rate of leukemia for children near​ high-tension wires was higher than the rate for those not near​ high-tension wires. Can the researchers conclude that proximity with​ high-tension wires causes leukemia in​ children

Answer 1

No they cannot

Step-by-step explanation:

Leukemia, also called blood cancer is a cancer that affects blood forming tissues including the bone marrow affecting the body's ability to ward off infections.

The researchers cannot conclude that proximity to high tension wires is the cause of leukemia because of confounding (other external unaccounted) variables.

There are other external factors which could be the cause of higher rate of leukemia in the area with close proximity to high tension wires, and unless the two environments were kept under similar conditions with proximity to high tension wires the only difference, then it would be wrong to conclude such as the other variables unaccounted for at play were not observed and could also have an effect.