Chapter 13: Correlation and Regression

Abstract

Correlation doesn't imply causation, but it does waggle its eyebrows suggestively and gesture furtively while mouthing – look over here. Anonymous Abstract A correlation is a rather unusual statistical procedure that can be used to describe a relationship between two variables or as a method to make inferences. Often scientists misuse a correlation to imply a cause and effect relationship when in fact one may or may not exist. Only a regression analysis can be used for determination of cause and effect. This chapter describes the difference between correlation and regression and describes statistical techniques for testing the strength of the relationship between variables. A discussion is provided on how to graph both a correlation and a regression and how to report the results in a scientific manuscript.