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RESEARCH LITERACY LAB / CLAIMS FORMING
Happened after is not caused by
Two things happening together does not prove one caused the other.
THE QUESTION
Separate a sequence of events from evidence of cause and effect.
COMMON MISREAD
“After taking it, this happened” can sound causal even when other explanations remain.
TAKE AWAY
Timing is a clue, not proof of cause.
INTERACTIVE PREVIEW / FULL LESSON FORMING
Try one question.
The full lesson is being built. This short preview gives you the core distinction without pretending the rest is ready.
FIELD CHECK / 01
Someone felt different after using a product. Does timing alone show why?
FURTHER READING
Go to the source.
These links support the lesson's research-literacy concepts. The preview examples are illustrations, not quotes or new study results.
- Research methodsNLM: causation and study design ↗