Suppose there is a correlation between the use of night-lights in an infant's room an increased

step 1 The size of one's pupil, this essentially depends on, we can say, the amount of light, which is

Suppose there is a correlation between the use of...

Labs

Want to see this concept in action?

NEW

Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.

View Labs

Key Concepts

Correlation vs. Causation

This concept emphasizes that just because two variables are correlated does not mean that one causes the other. It is important to recognize that a relationship found through observational data might be coincidental or due to other factors, and inferring a direct cause-and-effect connection without further experimental evidence can be misleading.

Confounding Variables

A confounding variable is a factor that may influence both the observed exposure and the outcome, leading to a spurious association. In studies like this, an unmeasured variable—such as genetic predisposition or parental behaviors—could be the real cause of the increased incidence of nearsightedness, rather than the use of night-lights.

Third Variable Effect

This principle relates closely to confounding variables and refers to the possibility that a third, unaccounted-for factor is actually responsible for the observed relationship between the two studied variables. Recognizing this effect is critical in research to avoid misinterpreting a correlation as a direct causal link.

Transcript

Please give Ace some feedback