Create and share a real-world scenario involving a correlation of an event and describe if there is a causation which goes with it. After you have created and shared your own scenario, read scenarios from two classmates and explain if each has a correlation and causation.

Answer 1

Scenario: Ice Cream Sales and Drowning Incidents

In a coastal town, data reveals that as ice cream sales increase, the number of drowning incidents also increases. During the summer months, there is a significant uptick in both ice cream consumption at local parlors and beach attendance, leading to more people swimming in the ocean.

Analysis of Correlation and Causation:

1. Correlation: There is a clear correlation between ice cream sales and drowning incidents; both tend to rise during the same time period (summer months).

2. Causation: However, the correlation does not imply causation. Ice cream sales do not cause drowning incidents. Instead, a third variable—warm weather—leads to both increased ice cream consumption and more people swimming at the beach, which can lead to increased drowning incidents. Therefore, while there is a correlation between the two events, the increase in ice cream sales does not cause an increase in drowning incidents; the warm weather is the underlying factor influencing both.

Now, please provide two scenarios from classmates, and I'll help analyze if there is a correlation and causation present in each.