Correlation vs. causation
Evaluate a described study or correlation and choose the most defensible conclusion about causation. Unlimited questions, five difficulty levels, and a full worked solution every time — free.
Try one
National data shows that the number of a certain genre of movies released each year is strongly correlated with the number of pool drownings that year, even though there's no reasonable connection between the two. What's the best conclusion?
- There's likely a lurking (confounding) variable explaining both trends.
- This shows causation, supported by a properly controlled experiment.
- The correlation is most likely coincidental, not a real relationship.
- Correlation alone doesn't prove causation here -- more (experimental) evidence would be needed to conclude one causes the other.
Answer: The correlation is most likely coincidental, not a real relationship.
See one solved, step by step
A study of elementary school students of many different ages found that students with bigger feet tend to have better reading scores. What's the best conclusion?
- This shows causation, supported by a properly controlled experiment.
- Correlation alone doesn't prove causation here -- more (experimental) evidence would be needed to conclude one causes the other.
- There's likely a lurking (confounding) variable explaining both trends.
- The correlation is most likely coincidental, not a real relationship.
Ready to master it?
Jump into unlimited practice — your Winny Score tracks you to 100. And if it won't click, a real tutor will make it click: first lesson free.
Start practicing