coefficient of correlation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “coefficient of correlation” mean?
A statistical measure that quantifies the degree and direction of linear relationship between two variables.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A statistical measure that quantifies the degree and direction of linear relationship between two variables.
Specifically, it refers to the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r), which ranges from -1 (perfect negative correlation) to +1 (perfect positive correlation), with 0 indicating no linear relationship. It is a fundamental concept in statistics, psychology, social sciences, finance, and data science.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or pronunciation differences. The term is international scientific/technical English. The abbreviation 'r' is universal.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and professional contexts in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “coefficient of correlation” in a Sentence
The coefficient of correlation [between X and Y] was calculated.A coefficient of correlation [of + value] indicates...To find/find the coefficient of correlation.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coefficient of correlation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The variables were correlated, yielding a high coefficient.
- We need to correlate the datasets before computing the coefficient.
American English
- The data sets were correlated to produce a coefficient.
- First, correlate the two columns to find the coefficient.
adverb
British English
- The variables correlated highly, as shown by the coefficient.
- The data are not correlatively related.
American English
- The stocks moved correlatively, indicated by the coefficient.
- The figures correlated positively.
adjective
British English
- The correlational analysis provided the key coefficient.
- Their research showed a strong correlational link.
American English
- The correlation analysis yielded a significant coefficient.
- We observed a positive correlation effect.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market research, finance (e.g., correlating stock returns), and analytics to assess relationships between business metrics.
Academic
Ubiquitous in research papers across social sciences, medicine, and physical sciences to report the strength of observed relationships.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
The precise term in statistics, data science, econometrics, and psychological testing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coefficient of correlation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coefficient of correlation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coefficient of correlation”
- Using 'coefficient of correlation' to describe non-linear relationships.
- Pronouncing 'coefficient' with the stress on the first syllable (/ˈkoʊ.əˌfɪʃ.ənt/ is incorrect).
- Referring to it as simply 'the correlation' when the precise numerical value is meant.
- Misspelling 'correlation' as 'corelation'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonymous terms, with 'correlation coefficient' being slightly more common in speech and writing.
It ranges from -1.0 to +1.0 inclusive. -1 indicates a perfect negative linear relationship, +1 a perfect positive linear relationship, and 0 indicates no linear relationship.
No, it cannot. It only measures the strength and direction of a linear association. Correlation does not imply causation; a third variable or pure coincidence may be responsible.
Pearson's r measures linear relationships between normally distributed variables. Spearman's rho is a non-parametric measure based on ranked data and captures monotonic (not necessarily linear) relationships.
A statistical measure that quantifies the degree and direction of linear relationship between two variables.
Coefficient of correlation is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Coefficient of correlation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊ.ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt əv ˌkɒr.əˈleɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊ.əˈfɪʃ.ənt əv ˌkɔːr.əˈleɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. This is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COEFFICIENT = a calculated number; CORRELATION = a connection. So it's the 'connection number' between two sets of data.
Conceptual Metaphor
A THERMOMETER FOR RELATIONSHIPS: Just as a thermometer gives a precise number for temperature, the coefficient gives a precise number for how 'hot' or 'cold' (strong/weak, positive/negative) the relationship is.
Practice
Quiz
What does a coefficient of correlation of -0.9 indicate?