Correlation does not necessarily imply causation, as you know if you read scientific research. Two variables may be associated without having a causal relationship. However, just because a correlation has limited value as a causative inference doesn’t mean that correlation studies are not important to science. The idea that correlation does not necessarily imply causation has led many to de-value correlation studies. However, used appropriately, correlation studies are important to science.
Why are correlation studies important? Stanovich (2007) points out the following:
“First, many scientific hypotheses are stated in terms of correlation or lack of correlation, so that such studies are directly relevant to these hypotheses…”
