Statistical relationships between variables that have no reason to be related. Such relationships are common in time series where two unrelated variables may be correlated because they are both related to another factor, such as gross national product. For example, the oft-noted strong <a href="search.pl?p=correlation">correlation</a> between liquor sales and teachers’ salaries does not mean that an increase in teachers’ salaries causes liquor sales to rise.<o:p></o:p></P>