Correlation and causation are two things that people often get confused, but they are not the same!

Let’s break it down:

• Correlation: This means that two things are connected in some way. For example, when it rains a lot, you will probably see more umbrellas out. We can measure how closely these things are related with something called a correlation coefficient.

This coefficient can range from -1 to 1. If it’s close to 1, it means there's a strong link between the two things.

• Causation: This is a bigger deal. It means that one thing actually causes the other to happen. For example, if you study harder, you are likely to do better on your tests.

So, keep in mind that just because two things are connected doesn't mean one is causing the other!