Statistics (STAT 101) Confounding, Causation, and Study Design Study Guide
University of Florida
Statistics (STAT 101) | Study Guide

Overview
A study guide on correlation vs causation, confounders, bias, randomization, and how to interpret study results in plain language.

Key topics
•correlation vs causation
•confounding variables and bias
•randomization and control groups
•observational study limitations

Suggested study tasks
•rewrite one causal claim into a correlational claim
•identify a plausible confounder in a news headline
•outline a randomized experiment with control and treatment

Common pitfalls
•treating association as proof
•ignoring selection bias and nonresponse
•forgetting that randomization supports causal inference