# Discover Stats

## Hilarious Graphs (and Pirates) Prove That Correlation Is Not Causation

When it comes to storytelling, we have a problem. It’s not our fault though – as human beings we are hard-wired from birth to look for patterns and explain why they happen. This problem doesn’t go away when we grow up though, it becomes worse the more intelligent we think we are. We convince ourselves that now…

## The One Reason Your Correlation Results Are Probably Wrong

I’m sure you all know how to do a correlation analysis to test if one variable is related to another. You probably even know when to use a Spearman correlation test over a Pearson correlation test. But did you know that the answers from these tests are probably wrong?When you have a pair of variables, finding a statistical relationship…

## 5 ‘Correlation Is Not Causation’ Traps that Even Pros Fall Into (sometimes)

How many times have you heard that ‘correlation is not causation’? Many times, I’m sure. So you know not to say things like ‘wow, the correlation between A and B has a p-value of 0.000001 so A must be causing B…’. I wish I had a pound for every time a very experienced, intelligent scientist with PhDs…

## How to do Effective Correlation Analysis in 3 Simple Steps

I blame Florence Nightingale. Really, I do. She publishes one little pie chart and suddenly we’re all expected to be statisticians. Gone are the days when a scientist can collect their data, then simply hand it over to a statistician for analysis and return in 6 months for the results. Oh no, now we all have…

## How to Lie With Stats

PART 1: 2×2 TablesEver been deceived by stats? In this new series ‘How to Lie With Stats (and get away with it)’ we teach you the tools of the trade of the statistical conmen so you’ll be better able to spot when someone is trying to con you. Ready? OK, let’s go… Continue Reading

## Statistics – The Last Dark Art?

In the first post in our ‘Discover Stats’ Blog Series we explain what stats is, what it isn’t and why you should take the time to learn the basics… No, wait, stop running – it’s really not that difficult. Honest! Come back and let me explain… Continue Reading
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