This data shows clearly that X is correlated with Y, although it tells us nothing about causation.
這些資料清楚地顯示出 X 與 Y 相關,但它們並未告訴我們關於因果關係的任何信息。
1992年, 魯道夫馬蒂亞斯舒斯特, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, 卷 V, 伊州芝加哥: 菲爾德自然史博物館, →ISBN,頁號 vii:
With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get[…]
Risk is everywhere.[…]For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you. “The Norm Chronicles”[…]aims to help data-phobes find their way through this blizzard of risks.