Data mining is the process of using sophisticated statistical techniques to extract and analyze data from large databases to discern patterns and trends that were not previously known. The patterns we find are correlations, but we do not necessarily find causation.
Newspaper headlines often link one activity to another and imply causation, rather than a simple correlation or association. Jon Mueller, a professor at North Central College, suggests that when describing a correlation between two variables, there are some acceptable ways to describe this relationship.

ACCEPTABLE TERMS for _______________________ AVOID THESE TERMS When Discussing Correlations (but
Correlations __________________________________________they are acceptable when asserting causation)
Get ................................................................................................................................. Cause
Have ......................................................................................................... Increase/decrease
Linked ........................................................................................................................ Benefits
More ........................................................................................................................... Impacts
More/less, less ................................................................................. Enhances/undermines
Tied ...................................................................................................................... Effect/affect
Connected/related .................................................................................... Improves/boosts
Tend .................................................... If → then type statements (implies one-direction)

In light of these suggestions, evaluate each of these headlines as to whether they suggest
a causal or non-causal relationship.
1. Facebook users get worse grades in college
2. Link between over-indebtedness and obesity identified
3. Kids’ TV habits tied to poorer test scores
4. Recession causes increase in teen dating violence
5. Snooze or lose: Memory retention enhanced by sleep
6. Soda causes obesity, researchers assert
7. Disciplinarian parents have fat kids
8. Social isolation may have a negative effect on intellectual abilities.