Quantitative Methods Questions
Correlation and causation are two concepts used in quantitative methods to analyze relationships between variables.
Correlation refers to a statistical measure that indicates the degree to which two variables are related or associated with each other. It measures the strength and direction of the relationship between variables, ranging from -1 to +1. A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase, while a negative correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable tends to decrease. However, correlation does not imply causation, meaning that just because two variables are correlated does not necessarily mean that one variable causes the other to change.
Causation, on the other hand, refers to a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. It suggests that changes in one variable directly lead to changes in another variable. Establishing causation requires more rigorous analysis and evidence, such as experimental designs or controlling for other potential factors that could influence the relationship. Causation implies that one variable is the reason or cause for the changes observed in another variable.
In summary, correlation measures the strength and direction of the relationship between variables, while causation refers to a cause-and-effect relationship where changes in one variable directly lead to changes in another variable.