Correlation is not a treatment claim
Two things can vary together without one causing the other. Consider alternative explanations before turning an observed pattern into a recommendation.
By Zehano · Original AI-assisted explanation and worked example · Updated 16 October 2026 · Editorial approach
A worked example
Suppose students who use a planner obtain higher marks. They may differ in prior knowledge, available time or other study habits. The association alone does not show that the planner caused the difference. A fair interpretation states what was observed and what remains uncertain, rather than promising the same outcome to every new user.
Try it in three steps
- Describe the observed relationship.
- List plausible alternative explanations.
- Look for a design that addresses the causal question.
What to watch for
The absence of a causal conclusion does not make an observation useless. It limits which claim the evidence can support.
Apply it to your own material
Choose one topic from your current course or project. Write down the question you want to answer, make an attempt, and keep a note of how you checked it. Use the example above as a pattern; replace its subject matter and assumptions rather than copying an answer into a different task.
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