Mechanistic Correlation Testing
Mechanistic Correlation Testing is a research approach for testing whether a proposed trace, representation, or mechanism corresponds to independently observed behavior or outcomes under controlled conditions. Correlation alone does not establish the mechanism or causal direction.
A competent study should define the mechanism claim, operational measures, independent outcome, comparator, blinding, withdrawal or intervention where appropriate, reliability, model and population coverage, alternative explanations, and falsification rule.
The method may be useful for MAP-States, RCTA/BGF, or other research. It is not a required HEART evidence layer, and a negative result constrains only the claim actually tested.