What is correlation vs. causation?
Correlation means two things move together. Causation means one produces the other. Arguments that jump from a link to a cause commit this flaw. A third factor or a reversed direction often explains the link instead.
Example: "Towns with more libraries have higher test scores" does not prove libraries cause the scores.
Example
"Towns with more libraries have higher test scores" does not prove libraries cause the scores.
Related glossary entry: What is correlation?.
Last updated October 24, 2026