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→Correlation and Causation: reinstated link to correlation vs. causation article, links, removed liberal example
==Correlation and Causation==
==Correlation and Causation==
Correlation is a linear statistic and makes no mathematical distinction between independent and dependent variables. As a consequence, it is impossible to assert [[causation]] based on a correlation even if that correlation is statistically significant. Therefore, when a significant correlation has been identified it is possible that X -> Y (i.e. X causes Y), Y -> X (i.e. Y causes X), or that X <- Z -> Y (i.e. Both X and Y are caused by an additional variable, Z). Caution must be exercised in asserting causation using correlation and claims to this effect (e.g. atheism causes suicide) must be viewed with considerable skepticism.
''Main article: [[Correlation is not causation]]''
Correlation is a linear statistic and makes no mathematical distinction between [[independent variable|independent]] and [[dependent variable]]s. As a consequence, it is impossible to assert [[causation]] based on a correlation even if that correlation is statistically significant. Therefore, when a significant correlation has been identified it is possible that X -> Y (i.e. X causes Y), Y -> X (i.e. Y causes X), or that X <- Z -> Y (i.e. Both X and Y are caused by an additional variable, Z). Caution must be exercised in asserting causation using correlation and claims to this effect must be viewed with considerable skepticism.
==Correlation and Language==
==Correlation and Language==