Correlation

 

A correlation is a statistical relationship between two or more things that display a similar pattern or change that may or may not have an impact on each other.

 

Example:

 

A study by the Brooking’s Institute showed that there was a correlation between education and incarceration within the Africa-American Community. According to the study, African-American males who did not finish high school and receive a diploma had a 70% chance of being incarcerated by their mid-30s.

 

While the study did not prove that lack of education in the African-American community caused (see Causation) males to turn to a life of crime the information was highly suggestive to the point where it warranted further study in order to get to the root of the problem so that steps could be taken to solve it.