StudySmarter - The all-in-one study app.
4.8 • +11k Ratings
More than 3 Million Downloads
Correlation describes if a relationship exists between two variables, how strong this relationship is, and whether a change in one variable induces a positive or negative change in another. For example, we would expect a strong positive correlation between the amount of sunlight and the growth of flowers.
Regression is the numerical relation between two variables (we now need an independent and dependent variable). We normally look at a linear regression; if our two variables are X and Y, we seek a relationship of the form Y = mX + c. This means that this will look like a straight line on a scatter graph. We often refer to a regression line as a line of best fit.
Correlation does not mean causation!
It is important to remember that just because correlation exists, it does not mean there is necessarily causation. For example, we could find a correlation between the number of firefighters sent to a fire and the amount of damage created by that fire. As we can gather, the number of firefighters sent does not result in more damage occurring, so we have a case with an apparent correlation but no causation. This means when we look at supposed correlations, we should judge whether this correlation has causation.
When we describe correlation, we use two measures: strength and parity.
We can describe the strength of a correlation between two variables.
If there is a strong correlation, we have a strong relationship between the two variables (i.e. there is a strong indication that there is a dependency between variables). If we were to draw a regression line (line of best fit), all the data points would be very close to the line.
If there is a weak correlation, there is a weaker relationship between the two variables (this means there is less indication that there is a dependency between variables). If there were a regression line, the points would be more spread away from the line.
Parity is a special way of saying whether the correlation is positive or negative. If there is a positive correlation, this means that as one variable increases, the other variable increases. On a regression line, this means that the gradient is positive. If the correlation is negative, then as one variable increases, the other variable decreases. On a regression line, this means that the gradient is negative.
If the correlation is weak enough (to the extent that there is no real correlation), then we call this a zero correlation. This would mean we couldn't draw a regression line.
We often use a correlation coefficient to describe correlation, this varies from -1 to 1. The strongest positive correlation is represented by 1, the strongest negative correlation is represented by -1, and a zero correlation by zero. It is a sliding scale between these values.
Below are examples of different correlations:
An example of something with no correlation would be the shoe size of children in the UK and the number of sunflowers in France. These are unrelated and thus neither influence one another, and so, no correlation.
A strong positive correlation:
An example of a strong positive correlation would be hours spent in direct sunlight and the severity of sunburn. As one of these variables increases, then so does the other.
A strong negative correlation:
An example of a strong negative correlation would be the speed of a train versus the time to complete a journey from one station to the next. As speed increases, time to destination decreases. As this is a physical relation, this will be strongly related.
A weak positive correlation:
An example of a weak positive correlation may be the prescription of a particular drug and increased kidney failure. The drug is unlikely to cause everyone to have kidney failure, but it will increase the likelihood for some people.
A weak negative correlation:
An example of a weak negative correlation would be lessons missed and end grades. In general, the number of lessons missed would decrease grades; however, this will differ from student to student to end up with a weaker relationship.
There are many real-life examples of correlation and regression. In the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments will have tracked COVID deaths/hospitalisations/case numbers against various metrics, such as age, weight or location, to try and find a pattern and see where help would be needed most. There would first be a look at correlation to see if there were any apparent patterns, and then they would use regression to try and predict any missing data values.
Q: Below is a table showing the data for students in a class, where height and arm length was measured.
Arm Length (cm)
Draw a scatter graph to represent the data
Describe the correlation between the data sets
Use a regression line to predict the arm length of person who is 165cm tall.
Let us plot this with height on the x-axis and arm length on the y-axis. This looks like
Looking at the scatter graph, as height increases, so does arm length, meaning there is a positive correlation. If we were to draw a regression line on the graph, the points would be close to this line, meaning there is a strong positive correlation between arm length and height.
Our first step here is to draw on our regression line. This should look something like this:
From this point, we draw a line of x = 165 and then see where this intersects with the regression line. Then the y value of this intersection point will be our estimate for arm length.
This means our estimate for arm length is 95cm.
A strong correlation means that the variables appear to depend on one another.
A weak correlation means there is less evidence to suggest there is a dependency on one another.
A positive correlation looks to have a positive gradient.
A negative correlation looks to have a negative gradient.
Correlation defines the strength of a relationship between two variables, and what an increase in one variable does to the other variable. For example, there is a strong positive correlation between height and arm span.
The correlation coefficient is a way of describing the correlation using a numerical value. This value varies between -1 and 1, with -1 meaning strong negative correlation, 1 meaning strong positive correlation, and 0 meaning no correlation.
Correlation means the relation of one variable in comparison to another.
What is an independent variable?
An independent variable is the variable that changes by itself (some may say changes independently)
What is a dependent variable?
A dependent variable is one that changes as a result of other variables changing.
In summer, when the weather is hot in New York, there is an increase in both crime rate and ice cream sales. Explain why there may be a correlation but this does not mean that an increase of ice cream sales means crime increases.
This is a case of correlation, but not necessarily causation. When it is hot, people want to cool down, thus more ice cream. Also when it gets hot, people get more agitated, thus crime rate increases
Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan.
Test your knowledge with gamified quizzes.
Create and find flashcards in record time.
Create beautiful notes faster than ever before.
Have all your study materials in one place.
Upload unlimited documents and save them online.
Identify your study strength and weaknesses.
Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them.
Stop procrastinating with our study reminders.
Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying.
Create flashcards in notes completely automatically.
Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates.
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
Over 10 million students from across the world are already learning smarter.Get Started for Free