Dictionary definition of correlation

This could include social or emotional connections between individuals, for example, or the interdependence of different systems within an organization or ecosystem. In this sense, correlation refers to a shared or reciprocal influence between different entities, where changes or developments in one can impact the other. Such connections can be positive, where they reinforce or support each other, or negative, where they may conflict or oppose each other. Correlation in this sense can be used to describe the interconnectivity and complexity of many different systems, and can be an important consideration in areas such as business strategy, social dynamics, and environmental sustainability.

Correlation more specifically refers to a statistical measure that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two or more variables. This measure provides insight into how changes in one variable are associated with changes in another variable, and can help identify patterns and trends in data. Correlation is often expressed as a correlation coefficient, which ranges from -1 to +1. A correlation coefficient of 0 indicates no correlation between the variables, while a coefficient of +1 or -1 indicates a perfect positive or negative correlation, respectively. Correlation is commonly used in scientific research, economics, and social sciences to analyze and understand data and the relationships between variables.