One common thinking error is the assumption that a strong correlation:

In the scientific community, it is widely accepted that a correlation should never be implied as causation, no matter how strong the correlation. This error in thinking is not only applicable to the scientific community, but occurs in any statistically relevant study. Correlation cannot be assumed to be causation without identifying every possible independent variable that may influence the value/observation of a particular dependent variable. This is the basis of using control groups and ensuring all independent variables are consistent between experimental groups.