Causal Inference

What is causal inference?

Causal Inference is the process of determining whether a relationship between two variables is causal, meaning that one variable directly influences the other. It goes beyond correlation, which simply identifies patterns, to assess whether changes in one factor cause changes in another. Causal inference is widely used in fields like statistics, epidemiology, economics, and machine learning to understand cause-and-effect relationships and make informed decisions.

Why is causal inference important?

Causal inference allows researchers and practitioners to make decisions based on evidence of cause-and-effect relationships rather than mere associations. This is crucial in areas like medicine, where understanding the cause of a disease can lead to better treatments, or in policy-making, where determining the impact of an intervention can guide public health strategies.