25/09/2026
Correlation does not automatically mean causation.
When two variables move together, it can be tempting to conclude that one caused the other. But the relationship may also be explained by another factor, reverse causality, the way the sample was selected, or chance.
Before drawing a conclusion, ask:
What else could explain this relationship?
Can the research design test causality?
Are the data and measurements reliable?
What does the evidence really support?
Good analysis is not only about finding a relationship. It is also about interpreting that relationship carefully.
What statistics or research topic would you like us to explain in a future post?