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 not necessarily causation.

Every time we see a link between the occurrence of one event or action with another, we generally assume

that one event or action caused the other. But simply linking one occurrence with another does not always prove that the result has been caused by the other.

For example, such data mining might suggest the following relationship between arcade revenue and computer

science doctorates awarded in the United States, with a correlation of $0\mathrm{.}985.$

Is this simply a correlation? Or is there a possibility that computer science doctorates affect total revenue generated by arcades or vice versa? Explain your answer.

Is this simply a correlation? Or is there a possibility that the number of people who drowned was affected by the films Nicolas Cage appeared in$?$ Explain your answer.