Predictive designs and analyses can get messy. We observe the relationship between two variables, often without taking in to account the noncontrolled nature of such design, and we leave out the fact that many other variables may be at play, affecting the relationship between those two variables. Sometimes researchers take this in to account, and sometimes they don't . Please provide a real or made up example of when predictive design and analysis may be problematic or even detrimental if researchers do not consider other variables at play.

Answer:

Long along Bowlby conducted a fascinating study whereby he observed children living in institutions without any maternal bond showed a wide variety of intellectual and behavioral disorder. Based on his scientific study, he concluded a causal relationship between the two variable postulating that lack of maternal love and bond causes development of behavioral disorders, however he failed to account for the many confounding and third variable like adequate provision of nutrition, lack of educational opportunities, intellectual stimulation provided in institutions and negligible social interactions.

Thus if such an predictive analysis is accepted, then a serious responsibility falls on parents who have children with intellectual and behavioral issues, who might otherwise provide any and every care and warmth. Thus this might prove detrimental to the well being of the parents who might be seen as the cause of their children's plight.