Correlation vs. Causation

Front

What is the difference between correlation and causation?

Back

Correlation indicates a relationship between two variables, while causation implies that one variable directly affects the other.

Front

Define causation.

Back

Causation is when one event is the result of the occurrence of another event; it indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Front

Provide an example of causation.

Back

If it rains, the ground gets wet.

Front

What does correlation mean?

Back

Correlation refers to a statistical relationship between two variables, where changes in one variable are associated with changes in another, but do not imply direct causation.

Front

Provide an example of correlation.

Back

As ice cream sales increase, so do the number of people at the beach.

Front

What is a common misconception about correlation?

Back

Many people mistakenly believe that correlation implies causation.

Front

What is an example of a situation where correlation does not imply causation?

Back

Increased consumption of cheese is correlated with higher rates of drowning, but one does not cause the other.

Front

What is a necessary condition for establishing causation?

Back

There must be a clear temporal relationship, where the cause precedes the effect.

Front

What is the term for a variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables in a study?

Back

Confounding variable.

Front

What is an example of a confounding variable?

Back

In a study showing a correlation between exercise and weight loss, diet could be a confounding variable.