« Kate Adamson Fights for Terri Schiavo | Main | A Call to Prayer and Fasting by The Narrow »
Brief Comment on Causality versus Correlation
One of the great errors of those interpreting results from anecdotal observations and scientific studies is to conclude causality from correlation. Two variables that change together over time are correlated but not necessarily related. And, if you monitor enough variables over a short period of time there is a high probability that several will be fortuitously (accidentally) correlated.
An example of this is the so-called predictors of Super Bowl Outcomes. Each year people search through millions of variables and always find a couple that are perfectly correlated to past Super Bowl Outcomes. However, there is never any true causal relationship between the variable and the Super Bowl outcome (gamblers take note).
Posted by tim at March 14, 2005 12:33 PM
- We’ve been deceived in the most profound manner - Jul 30, 2007
- Don't Live Your Faith - Jun 25, 2007
- Thanksgiving Praise - Nov 23, 2006
- False ideas are the greatest obstacles to the reception of the gospel - Oct 07, 2006
- Islamic Cartoons - Feb 09, 2006
- A Belief System - Dec 20, 2005
- Those Bleating Sheep - Dec 19, 2005
- Blessings to you on Thanksgiving Day - Nov 23, 2005
- A Lesson from the Life and Death of Terri Schiavo - Jun 20, 2005
- Happy Father's Day - Jun 19, 2005
Comments
cool site!! www.blogsocool.com
Posted by: Tracy at March 14, 2005 8:22 PM
Site map