My favorite *introduction* to this vast topic can be found in the first few chapters of Bill Shipley's short book, Cause and Correlation in Biology (2000). A quote from his book: "In fact, with few exceptions, correlation does imply causation. If we observe a systematic relationship between two variables, and we have ruled out the likelihood that this is simply due to a random coincidence, then something must be causing this relationship."
******************************************************* Lee Dyer Biology Dept. 0314 UNR 1664 N Virginia St Reno, NV 89557 OR 585 Robin St Reno, NV 89509 Email: nolaclim...@gmail.com Web: www.caterpillars.org phone: 504-220-9391 (cell) 775-784-1360 (office) > Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2012 10:57:34 -0500 > From: devan.mcgrana...@gmail.com > Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] correlation v. causation > To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU > > Hi Shelley, others, > > Slate recently had a great article on correlation and causation with a > historical perspective. > > My favorite line: "'No, correlation does not imply causation, but it > sure as hell provides a hint." > > http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/10/correlation_does_not_imply_causation_how_the_internet_fell_in_love_with_a_stats_class_clich_.html > > > > > > > > "Having nothing better to do, I set fire to the prairie." > -- Francis Chadron, 1839, Fort Clark, North Dakota > > http://www.devanmcgranahan.info
