I agree that “X explains Q% of the variance in Y” to me sounds like an assertion of causality, and a definition of that phrase that is merely correlations seems misleading.
Might it be better to say “After controlling for Y, the variance of X is reduced by Q%” if one does not want to imply causation?
I agree that “X explains Q% of the variance in Y” to me sounds like an assertion of causality, and a definition of that phrase that is merely correlations seems misleading.
Might it be better to say “After controlling for Y, the variance of X is reduced by Q%” if one does not want to imply causation?