Distinguish correlation from causation

What you'll learn

1. Define correlation (variables moving together) and causation (one variable producing change in another) as distinct claims
2. Explain why a correlation does not imply causation and identify lurking (confounding) variables
3. Name the possible explanations for a correlation: direct causation, reverse causation, a common lurking variable, or coincidence
4. Recognize that a randomized experiment, not an observed correlation, is what supports a causal claim, and evaluate real claims accordingly

Prerequisites

• Compute and interpret the correlation coefficient