Correlation and Causation Are Often Confused by Students

question 13

Essay

Correlation and causation are often confused by students. First, define the two concepts: correlation and causation. Second, describe the use of correlation and causation in theory development and testing. Why are they important, what do they tell us about explanations of crime?

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Definitions:

Independent Assortment

The principle explaining how different genes independently separate from one another when reproductive cells develop.

Homologous Chromosomes

Pairs of chromosomes in a diploid organism that are similar in shape, size, and gene content, one inherited from each parent.

Alleles

Forms of a gene with slightly different DNA sequences; may encode different versions of the gene’s product.

Homozygous

Describing an organism that has two identical alleles for a particular trait.