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GCSE Biology · key term
A relationship in which two variables change together; it does not, by itself, show that one causes the other.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.2.2.5, 4.7.2.4 · Paper 1, Paper 2
A relationship in which changes in one variable are associated with changes in another variable.
Revise: Health and DiseasePositive correlation: one variable generally increases as the other increases.
A relationship in which two variables change together; it does not by itself show that one variable caused the other to change.
Specification 5.23, 7.17, 9.5 · Paper 1, Paper 2
A relationship in which two variables change together; this alone does not prove that one causes the other.
Revise: Causes of Non-Communicable DiseasesScientists often identify risk factors by finding a correlation: for example, a disease may be more common among people exposed to a particular factor. However, correlation alone does not show that the factor caused the disease. Another variable could influence both, or the association could occur by chance.
A relationship in which two variables tend to change together; it does not necessarily mean that one causes the other.
An association between two variables in which they change together; this alone does not establish that one causes the other.
Specification B3.1g, B6.1d, B6.3t · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A relationship in which two observations vary together; it does not necessarily show that one causes the other.
Revise: Investigating brain functionAn association on a scan is therefore a correlation, not automatic proof that one region alone causes a function. Scan results can also be complicated to interpret because many patterns of activity are not fully understood.
A relationship in which two measured variables change together; it does not necessarily show that one causes the other.
A relationship or pattern between two variables. A correlation alone does not demonstrate that one variable causes the other.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
An association between two variables in which a pattern of change in one variable accompanies a pattern in the other.
Revise: Data AnalysisAn upward pattern from left to right shows positive correlation: higher values of one variable tend to accompany higher values of the other. A downward pattern shows negative correlation. A cloud with no clear upward or downward pattern indicates no evident correlation.
A relationship between two observations which does not, by itself, show that one caused the other.
A relationship in which two variables change together; correlation alone does not demonstrate that one variable causes the other to change.
A relationship in which two measured variables change together in a recognisable pattern.
A pattern or association in which changes in one variable are linked with changes in another variable.
Describe a scatter diagram precisely: positive correlation, negative correlation or no correlation. Refer to both named variables when explaining the trend.
For “evaluate”, consider the strength and limitations of the evidence before reaching a justified conclusion. A correlation alone does not prove that the named factor caused the change.
Keep correlation and causation separate. A correlation is an association in data; causation requires evidence that one factor contributes to the disease through a causal mechanism.
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