BRAINCAKECorrelation or Causation
A correlation is a relationship between two variables: as one changes, so does the other. In a positive correlation both increase together; in a negative correlation one increases as the other decreases. A causal relationship means that a change in one variable actually brings about the change in the other.
A correlation does not prove causation. Two variables may be correlated because:
• one causes the other;
• both are caused by a third factor (a confounding variable);
• the link is due to chance.
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