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==Correlation and Causation==

==Correlation and Causation==

''Main article: [[Correlation is not causation]]''

{{Main|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 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.

Aron, Arthur, Elaine N. Aron and Elliot J. Coups. 2008. ''Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences: A Brief Course.'' 4/e. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Aron, Arthur, Elaine N. Aron and Elliot J. Coups. 2008. ''Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences: A Brief Course.'' 4/e. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

[[Category:statistics]]

[[Category:Statistics]]