📚 Topic Summary
Correlation and causation are two different things. Correlation means that two things are related or happen together. Causation means that one thing makes another thing happen. Just because two things are correlated doesn't mean that one causes the other. There might be a third, unseen factor influencing both, or it could simply be a coincidence! Understanding this distinction is super important when analyzing data and making informed decisions. For Grade 8 students, mastering this concept is a key step toward advanced statistical thinking.
🧮 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Correlation |
A. One event directly causes another. |
| 2. Causation |
B. A variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables. |
| 3. Spurious Correlation |
C. A relationship between two variables that appears causal but is not. |
| 4. Confounding Variable |
D. A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together. |
| 5. Independent Variable |
E. The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment. |
Match the numbers (1-5) to the letters (A-E).
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph using the words: correlation, causation, variables, relationship, influence.
When two __________ are related, there is a __________ between them. However, this __________ does not necessarily mean __________ . There might be another factor that can __________ both variables.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Give an example of a situation where two things might be correlated, but one does not cause the other. Explain your reasoning.