Variables Positively or Negatively Correlated
The correlation coefficient is a measure that determines the degree to which two variables’ movements are associated. The most common correlation coefficient, generated by the Pearson product-moment correlation, may be used to measure the linear relationship between two variables. However, in a non-linear relationship, this correlation coefficient may not always be a suitable measure of dependence.
The range of values for the correlation coefficient is -1.0 to 1.0. In other words, the values cannot exceed 1.0 or be less than -1.0 whereby a correlation of -1.0 indicates a perfect negative correlation, and a correlation of 1.0 indicates a perfect positive correlation. Anytime the correlation coefficient, denoted as r, is greater than zero, it’s a positive relationship. Conversely, anytime the value is less than zero, it’s a negative relationship. A value of zero indicates that there is no relationship between the two variables.
If the correlation coefficient of two variables is zero, it signifies that there is no linear relationship between the variables. However, this is only for a linear relationship; it is possible that the variables have a strong curvilinear relationship.