A correlation is a relationship between measured things, such as sleep and concentration.

The idea

Use correlation between two things. A correlation may be positive, negative, strong or weak; the noun can be countable.

Examples

  • The study found a correlation between sleep and concentration.
  • Maya noticed a strong correlation between rainfall and river levels.
  • There is a negative correlation between price and demand in this data.
  • The team found no correlation between shoe size and test scores.
  • A correlation does not prove that one thing caused the other.
  • Researchers are examining correlations between air quality and health.

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Watch out

Do not assume that a correlation proves causation: another factor may explain the relationship.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the best word. The report shows a ___ between income and spending. (correlation / cause)

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    correlation

    Correlation names the relationship reported in the data.

  2. Choose the best word. The analyst found a correlation ___ age and response time. (between / among)

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    between

    Between links the two measured things.

  3. Choose the best word. The graph shows a relationship, but it does not prove ___. (causation / correlation)

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    causation

    Causation is what the graph alone cannot establish.

Use it today

Describe a correlation and explain what it does not prove.