Many different disciplines take advantage of the convenience that correlation provides. However, if it is useful to run an experiment, it is helpful to have knowledge that an association even exists between your variables before starting. These interactions are often much easier and cheaper to find than running an entire study. Scientists understand that correlation can have a purpose in a plethora of different fields so long as it’s presented as such. To become an informed individual, it is key to understand that correlation does not imply causation. Do not be misled by each ambiguous pairing you see. A politician may attempt to ensure you that their opponent is not suitable for the position as a seemingly bad outcome correlates with one of their competitor’s initiatives (Pease & Bull, n.d .). Marketers will convince you that you must purchase some new gadget to ensure a desired outcome, when in reality, their claims are only based on correlation. Everyday, those who understand this common fallacy cash in on the public’s ignorance.
These misconceptions are only further advanced by the fact that when two variables correlate with one another, we often assume that this means that one is causing the other. If implying causation makes a report sound more interesting, those in publishing may not hesitate to mislead. Their number one priority is selling the most papers or getting the most website visits. As the printed word is now taken to be the most trustworthy source, a reader will often full-heartedly believe each news article they read, forgetting that the press is in fact a business. If only a correlation is identified, you don’t have any knowledge of what is causing these variables to correlate, you only know that they do.Īs Evelyn Lamb (2013) writes, articles in which a correlation is identified and presented in a form that suggests causality are probably just “commissioned to meet publication quotas ” (p. If there has been an experiment however, they may have been able to prove causation–that the manipulation of one variable known as the independent variable is followed by an effect on a second variable named the dependent variable. This is when two variables seem to be closely associated–the change in one accompanies a similar change in the other. The majority of the time, studies’ information will be based on a correlation. The first step in identifying how these articles may be misleading you is to understand what knowledge the author has and what they are implying. That is, until the new phase comes around. As a public comprised of consumers, we eat each article up and promise ourselves we will abide by the presented way of life. New product found that will cause you to lose weight/boost your IQ/increase testosterone levels/cause cancer/ensure worldwide destruction” and so on. “Scientists have proven that all past studies are flawed.
Seemingly daily, a groundbreaking report makes an appearance in newspapers, social media, or online forums. Breaking headline: misunderstanding in public caused by scientists deluding society.
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