Imagine we wanted to investigate the effects of three different conflict styles (avoiding, compromising and competing) on relationship satisfaction, but we discover that relationship satisfaction is known to covary with self-esteem. Which of the following questions would be appropriate for this analysis?

a. What would the mean relationship satisfaction be for the three conflict style groups, if their levels of self-esteem were held constant?

b. What would the mean relationship satisfaction be if levels of self-esteem were held constant?

c. What would the mean self-esteem score be for the three groups if their levels of relationship satisfaction were held constant?

d. Does relationship satisfaction have a significant effect on the relationship between conflict style and self-esteem?