Science glossary film: Correlation

How closely the changes in one set of data follow the changes in another. For example, children's height and reading ability may be strongly correlated, with an increase in one being associated with an increase in the other. Importantly, correlation can never reveal anything about causation. Height and reading ability correlate simply because both tend to increase with age, not because being taller helps you read.

For example, children's height and reading ability may be strongly correlated, with an increase in one being associated with an increase in the other. Importantly, correlation can never reveal anything about causation. Height and reading ability correlate simply because both tend to increase with age, not because being taller helps you read.