Possible mnemonic device for evaluating reported research results.

Our Class Just Asks A, B, X

O	Observation	what is the observation that was made?
C	Conclusion	what is the conclusion that was drawn?
J	Justification	does the observation justify the conclusion?
A	Alternative	is there an alternative explanation? (or several alternative explanations?)
ABX	A, B, X model for correlation does not prove causation:	If two variables A and B are correlated: A could cause B B could cause A some third variable X could cause both A and B