Correlation vs. Causation Worksheet
Explore the difference between correlation and causation with real-world examples and critical thinking questions.
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Correlation vs. Causation
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Read each statement carefully and answer the questions that follow. Remember to distinguish between correlation (a relationship between two variables) and causation (one variable directly causing a change in another).
1. Which of the following best describes a causal relationship?
Two variables tend to increase or decrease together.
One variable directly influences and produces a change in another variable.
There is a statistical association between two variables.
The relationship between two variables is coincidental.
2. Which of the following statements indicates a correlation but not necessarily causation?
Higher temperatures lead to increased ice cream sales.
Smoking causes lung cancer.
Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health.
Students who study more tend to get higher grades.
3. A exists when two variables are related, but one does not necessarily cause the other.
4. To establish , you need to demonstrate that a change in one variable directly leads to a change in another.
5. A study finds that cities with more police officers have higher crime rates. Does this mean that more police officers cause more crime? Explain your reasoning.
6. Describe a scenario where two variables are correlated but there is no direct causal link between them. Identify the variables and explain why it's a correlation, not causation.
7. If two variables are correlated, they must also have a causal relationship.
True
False
8. A third, unobserved variable can sometimes explain an apparent correlation between two other variables.
True
False
9. A news report states: "People who own more books tend to live longer." Is this a claim of correlation or causation? What are some possible confounding variables?
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