We have often discussed the distinction between correlation and causation in research. Give an example of a correlation, and describe how you might create an experimental study to test if the correlation is causal.

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We have often discussed the distinction between correlation and causation in research. Give an example of a correlation, and describe how you might create an experimental study to test if the correlation is causal.



Correlations are simply natural associations between two variables. Correlations can be positive: for example, height and weight. The taller you are, the more you are likely to weigh.

Number of people who drowned by falling into a pool correlates with films Nicholas Cage has appeared in, however one does not cause the other to occur.

There is a causal relationship between two variables if a change in the level of one variable causes a change in the other variable.

Note that correlation does not imply causality. It is possible for two variables to be associated with each other without one of them causing the observed behaviour in the other. When this is the case it is usually because there is a third (possibly unknown)

A researcher had found a link between murder rates in Canada and trust in the federal government. This correlation is positive (as the value of one variable goes up, the value of the other variable also goes up). But-- is it causal? Do more murders occur because people trust the government less? Is it the other way around?

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