In March 2012, an article titled “Eating Red Meat Regularly ‘Dramatically Increases Th e Risk Of Death From Heart Disease,’” appeared in the Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk). Th e article was based on the findings of a study that followed over 120,000 men and women for almost 30 years, the data for which were analyzed by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.
a. Identify the explanatory variable in this study. Also classify this variable as categorical or quantitative.
b. Identify the response variable in this study. Also classify this variable as categorical or quantitative.
c. Identify a confounding variable that provides an alternative explanation for the higher risk of death from heart disease among those who ate red meat regularly, compared to those who didn’t.