Comments on: Correlation Equals Causation http://dejanseo.com.au/correlation-equals-causation/ Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:08:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Andy Langtonhttp://dejanseo.com.au/correlation-equals-causation/#comment-747 Andy Langton Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:49:00 +0000 http://dejanseo.com.au/?p=7797#comment-747 The point of reinforcing 'correlation does not imply causation' (note: imply!) is nothing to do with fear or casting blanket doubt, but everything to do with an element of scientific rigour. You need a reason to believe that a relationship is causal, otherwise you are best to assume that it isn't. This step back from a dataset is a crucial part of interpreting findings and turning those into useful actions.To my mind, the SEO community in general needs a healthy dose of learning how to interpret and analyse data reliably - not the encouragement not to bother.No-one can decry the findings of an analysis on the basis of 'correlation not implying causation' if you have adequately accounted for causation in the first place!  The point of reinforcing ‘correlation does not imply causation’ (note: imply!) is nothing to do with fear or casting blanket doubt, but everything to do with an element of scientific rigour. You need a reason to believe that a relationship is causal, otherwise you are best to assume that it isn’t. This step back from a dataset is a crucial part of interpreting findings and turning those into useful actions.

To my mind, the SEO community in general needs a healthy dose of learning how to interpret and analyse data reliably – not the encouragement not to bother.

No-one can decry the findings of an analysis on the basis of ‘correlation not implying causation’ if you have adequately accounted for causation in the first place! 

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