Synopsis:  Students explore the fourth of five possible explanations for finding an association: reversed time order, in which the suspected outcome actually came before the exposure.  Students consider what the four basic epidemiologic study designs can tell them about the time order of an exposure and an outcome.  Students review the results of a cross-sectional study that found an association between playing violent video games and aggressive behavior.  They realize that, given the study design, it is possible that the association was found because aggressive people like to play violent video games, and not because playing violent video games causes aggressive behavior.  Students continue to learn that causation is only one explanation for finding an association between an exposure and an outcome; that because observational studies are flawed, other explanations must also be considered, including reversed time order.

All students will develop problem-solving, decision-making, and inquiry skills, reflected by formulating usable questions and hypotheses, planning experiments, conducting systematic observations, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating results.

All students will learn and apply health promotion concepts and skills to support a healthy, active lifestyle.

All students will use health-enhancing personal, interpersonal, and life skills to support a healthy, active lifestyle.

All students will understand and apply the knowledge of sounds, letters, and words in written English to become independent and fluent readers, and will read a variety of materials and texts with fluency and comprehension.

All students will speak in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.

All students will listen actively to information from a variety of sources in a variety of situations.

All students will utilize historical thinking problem solving, and research skills to maximize their understanding of civics, history, geography, and economics.

All students will demonstrate critical life skills in order to be functional members of society.