2.7

These flashcards cover key concepts of causation and association in variable analysis, including definitions and examples of different relationships among variables.

Causation

A relationship where a change in one variable causes a change in another variable.

Common Response

A situation where a lurking variable causes changes in both of the variables being studied.

Confounding

A situation where two variables both affect a third variable, making their individual effects indistinguishable.

Establishing Causation

Determining cause and effect typically done through experiments that change one explanatory variable while controlling other influences.

Association Consistency

In establishing causation, showing that a strong association is consistent across different regions or groups.

Alleged Cause Precedence

The principle that the alleged cause must precede the effect in time.

Plausibility of Cause

The idea that the proposed cause should be plausible, supported by existing research or experiments.

Example of Causation

An example is the relationship between the amount of fertilizer and the yield of crops.

Example of Common Response

An example is that nations with more TV sets have higher life expectancy due to wealth.

Example of Confounding

An example is both wealth and education affecting health outcomes.