MATH 225N WEEK 8 ASSIGNMENT
CORRELATION CAUSATION ANALYSIS PAPER
2026 SOLVED RESPONSES GRADED A+
◉ Correlation. Answer: The relationship between two groups of data
Correlation is a measure or degree of relation between two sets of
data. The two sets of data might be positively correlated (there is a
definite connection between the data sets), negatively correlated
(the second set of data shows the opposite of the first set), or not
correlated at all (the data are scattered all over the graph).
◉ Correlation Versus Causation. Answer: If two variables have a
strong correlation, then there is a strong relationship between the
sets. Causation is a special type of relationship where changing the
independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable.
Lots of commercials say that smoking causes cancer, but is that true?
We cannot perform a controlled experiment to prove causation
because it would be unethical to force people to smoke and measure
the occurrence of cancer. We can, however, show that there is a
strong correlation based on several years of observational studies.
, To be able to assess the results in a study, it is important to
remember the distinction between an experiment and an
observational study.
◉ Experiment or Controlled Study. Answer: - Observes responses to
variables
- Influences variables as part of the treatment that results in a
response
- Can determine causation
Experiments are able to determine causation, whereas an
observational study can only determine a correlation between or
among the variables.
◉ Observational Study. Answer: - Observes responses to variables
- Does not attempt to influence variables
- Cannot determine causation; determines correlation only
An observational study, simply observes and records behavior. It
does not impose any treatment to manipulate the response. Because
of the difference in the two, experiments are able to determine
causation, whereas an observational study can only determine a
correlation between or among the variables.
CORRELATION CAUSATION ANALYSIS PAPER
2026 SOLVED RESPONSES GRADED A+
◉ Correlation. Answer: The relationship between two groups of data
Correlation is a measure or degree of relation between two sets of
data. The two sets of data might be positively correlated (there is a
definite connection between the data sets), negatively correlated
(the second set of data shows the opposite of the first set), or not
correlated at all (the data are scattered all over the graph).
◉ Correlation Versus Causation. Answer: If two variables have a
strong correlation, then there is a strong relationship between the
sets. Causation is a special type of relationship where changing the
independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable.
Lots of commercials say that smoking causes cancer, but is that true?
We cannot perform a controlled experiment to prove causation
because it would be unethical to force people to smoke and measure
the occurrence of cancer. We can, however, show that there is a
strong correlation based on several years of observational studies.
, To be able to assess the results in a study, it is important to
remember the distinction between an experiment and an
observational study.
◉ Experiment or Controlled Study. Answer: - Observes responses to
variables
- Influences variables as part of the treatment that results in a
response
- Can determine causation
Experiments are able to determine causation, whereas an
observational study can only determine a correlation between or
among the variables.
◉ Observational Study. Answer: - Observes responses to variables
- Does not attempt to influence variables
- Cannot determine causation; determines correlation only
An observational study, simply observes and records behavior. It
does not impose any treatment to manipulate the response. Because
of the difference in the two, experiments are able to determine
causation, whereas an observational study can only determine a
correlation between or among the variables.
