Your Guide to Linear Correlation Coefficients

The correlation coefficient is reflected by Pearson’s r. The value of r can range between -1 and 1, where;

• Positive values indicate a Positive Correlation (0<r1)
• Negative values indicate a Negative Correlation  (-1r<1)
• A Value of 0 indicates No Correlation  (r=0)

Positive Correlation

A positive correlation exists between two variables when they both move in the same direction; if one increases, the other does too and if one decreases, the other decreases too. When r takes a positive value, it indicates a positive correlation. The closer the value is to 0, the weaker the positive relationship between the variables. The closer the value is to 1, the stronger the positive relationship between the variables.  

Negative Correlation

A negative correlation exists between two variables when they both move in the opposite directions; if one increases, the other decreases too and if one decreases, the other increases. When r takes a negative value, it indicates a negative correlation. The closer the value is to 0, the weaker the negative relationship between the variables. The closer the value is to -1, the stronger the negative relationship between the variables.  

No Correlation

When two variables have no statistical association, they are said to have no correlation. In this case, their correlation coefficient (also known as r) is 0.