Wry Catcher
Diamond Member
- Banned
- #1
"One of the most common errors we find in the press is the confusion between correlation and causation in scientific and health-related studies. In theory, these are easy to distinguish — an action or occurrence can cause another (such as smoking causes lung cancer), or it can correlate with another (such as smoking is correlated with alcoholism). If one action causes another, then they are most certainly correlated. But just because two things occur together does not mean that one caused the other, even if it seems to make sense"
"In general, it is extremely difficult to establish causality between two correlated events or observances. In contrast, there are many statistical tools to establish a statistically significant correlation"
"Typically, one can only establish correlation unless the effects are extremely notable and there is no reasonable explanation that challenges causality."
Thus, consider this data,
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777958.html
and decide, causation or correlation? Of course other variables might explain why mass shootings are much more common in the United States. If you believe something else is at work, please explain.
"In general, it is extremely difficult to establish causality between two correlated events or observances. In contrast, there are many statistical tools to establish a statistically significant correlation"
"Typically, one can only establish correlation unless the effects are extremely notable and there is no reasonable explanation that challenges causality."
Thus, consider this data,
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777958.html
and decide, causation or correlation? Of course other variables might explain why mass shootings are much more common in the United States. If you believe something else is at work, please explain.
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