Correlation and Causation Concept Check

Front

What is correlation?

Back

Correlation is a statistical relationship between two variables, where changes in one variable are associated with changes in another, but one does not cause the other.

Front

What is causation?

Back

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

Front

Example of correlation: Ice cream sales and temperature. What does this imply?

Back

As temperature increases, ice cream sales also increase, but this does not mean that higher temperatures cause more ice cream sales.

Front

Example of causation: Lights left on and electric bill. What does this imply?

Back

Leaving lights on causes an increase in the electric bill due to higher energy consumption.

Front

What is the difference between correlation and causation?

Back

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

Front

Identify if the following is correlation or causation: The number of tardies to class and the number of detentions received.

Back

Causation - More tardies lead to more detentions.

Front

Identify if the following is correlation or causation: An individual's decision to work in construction and his diagnosis of skin cancer.

Back

Correlation - Working in construction may be associated with skin cancer, but it does not directly cause it.

Front

Identify if the following is correlation or causation: The amount of rainfall received and the level of water in the lake.

Back

Causation - More rainfall leads to a higher water level in the lake.

Front

What does it mean if two variables are correlated?

Back

It means that there is a statistical association between the two variables, but it does not imply that one causes the other.

Front

Can correlation imply causation?

Back

No, correlation does not imply causation; further investigation is needed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.