BRE 206 Causation vs. Correlation

BRE 206 Causation vs. Correlation

Presentations Included:

• Dr. Maria Calatrava – Considering Correlation Versus Causation in Research (2025)

This course introduces two foundational research approaches: causation and correlation. These approaches are widely used in psychology, social science, and clinical research, yet they are often misunderstood or misinterpreted.

Learners will develop the ability to recognise how different study designs investigate relationships between variables, and what kinds of conclusions each design can support. The course focuses on identifying key features, terminology, and basic structures commonly found in research reports.

This course fulfills the following learning goals:

1. Define causation and correlation in research contexts (IFTCC A1).
2. Identify key features of experimental and correlational study designs (IFTCC A1).
3. Recognise common research questions and variables associated with each approach (IFTCC A1).
4. Identify common statistical terms and keywords used in research reports (IFTCC A1).
5. Describe basic concepts such as mediators and confounding factors (IFTCC A2).
6. Distinguish the types of conclusions supported by each research design (IFTCC A2).
7. Identify whether a research excerpt reflects a causal or correlational study (IFTCC A2).