In the sentence 'The data indicate a positive correlation,' what does correlation mean?

• A. A mutual relationship or association between two or more variables.
• B. A random coincidence with no relation.
• C. A measure of average value.
• D. A method of data collection.

Answer: (A)

Correlation describes the relationship between two or more variables, specifically how they tend to move together. A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well. Saying the data indicate a positive correlation means the observed data show this kind association rather than just random variation. It’s not about an average value, it isn’t describing how data were collected, and it doesn’t by itself prove that one variable causes the other. The core idea is that correlation signals a pattern of linked changes between variables.