Sometimes correlation IS causation

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All causation is initially demonstrated in correlation; the correlation is then further investigated to understand the mechanism, proving the causation.

You can do it both ways.

  1. Notice a correlation then investigate the causation.

  2. Discover a causation and then examine resultant correlations.

Example of the latter case: You discover a genetic polymorphism that affects certain molecular functions, then examine clinical data to see how polymorphisms of this gene affects various diseases and prognoses.