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Positive correlations tend to reinforce and refine existing exploration concepts, whereas negative correlations often refute existing ideas and offer new opportunities for creative thinkers. Both types of correlation have obvious value to explorationists.

Positive correlations tend to reinforce and refine existing exploration concepts, whereas negative correlations often refute existing ideas and offer new opportunities for creative thinkers. Both types of correlation have obvious value to explorationists.

A positive correlation is seldom 100% certain. Our confidence level in any positive correlation increases with the amount and quality of the data and samples used in the correlation. Curiale<ref name=ch08r12 />) discusses the problem of inadequate numbers of samples and overreliance on data of questionable validity. Moreover, some samples are quite easy to correlate positively because they share an unusual characteristic (e.g., the presence of an unusual biomarker). Samples that have no unusual or distinguishing features can often be correlated positively with many other samples, and at least some of those apparent correlations are likely to be in error.

A positive correlation is seldom 100% certain. Our confidence level in any positive correlation increases with the amount and quality of the data and samples used in the correlation. Curiale<ref name=ch08r12 /> discusses the problem of inadequate numbers of samples and overreliance on data of questionable validity. Moreover, some samples are quite easy to correlate positively because they share an unusual characteristic (e.g., the presence of an unusual biomarker). Samples that have no unusual or distinguishing features can often be correlated positively with many other samples, and at least some of those apparent correlations are likely to be in error.

A negative correlation, in contrast, can be quite definitive if the differences are large and if they clearly are not the result of postgenetic transformations. Probably the most difficult negative correlations are those based on numerous small differences, each of which in and of itself would not be conclusive. In such cases, we should ascertain that the differences are not related to variations or differences in facies, maturity, or migration.

A negative correlation, in contrast, can be quite definitive if the differences are large and if they clearly are not the result of postgenetic transformations. Probably the most difficult negative correlations are those based on numerous small differences, each of which in and of itself would not be conclusive. In such cases, we should ascertain that the differences are not related to variations or differences in facies, maturity, or migration.