On the inadequacy of the partial and multiple correlation technique

One of the most desired outcomes of any piece of research is the discovery of the cause of any phenomenon. Many workers in the fields of education and psychology seem to feel that the relations expressed in partial or multiple correlations are causal relations. Only under certain conditions are these relations causal. There are certain conditions when these relations are not causal. Whenever the factor to be eliminated is an effect of either of the two factors whose relation is sought then causal relation can not be posited. Or in the author's own words "In partial correlation, the true measure of contribution of a cause to an effect is mutilated if we have rendered constant variables which may in part or in whole be caused by either of the two factors whose true relationship is to be measured, or by still other unmeasured remote causes which also affect either of the two isolated factors i.e., (cause and effect)."