Correlation vs. Regression: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 1, 2024
Correlation measures the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables, while regression predicts the value of a dependent variable based on the value of an independent variable.
Key Differences
Correlation is a statistical measure that expresses the extent to which two variables change together. It does not imply causation but merely indicates how closely the variables move in relation to each other. Regression, in contrast, is used to fit a line through the data points that best expresses the relationship between those variables, typically used to make predictions or understand the relationship between the independent (predictor) and dependent (outcome) variable.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 01, 2024
The primary purpose of correlation is to quantify the degree of association between two variables, providing a value between -1 and 1 to describe this. This value, known as the correlation coefficient, doesn't provide information on the individual data points. Regression, however, specifically aims to establish a formula to predict or explain one variable based on another. It involves finding the best-fitting line or curve for the data points.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 01, 2024
In correlation analysis, the variables are treated equally; the focus is on the relationship, not on predicting one from the other. It's symmetrical, meaning the correlation between X and Y is the same as the correlation between Y and X. Regression analysis is asymmetrical. It treats one variable as independent and the other as dependent, aiming to predict the latter from the former.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 01, 2024
A key aspect of correlation is that it doesn’t assume or imply any cause-and-effect relationship. It only assesses how variables are related. In regression, there is often an implied direction (though not necessarily causation), as it attempts to show how a dependent variable changes when an independent variable changes.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 01, 2024
Correlation is often the first step in data analysis, used to identify relationships between variables, after which regression is used to explore the nature of the relationship in more detail, particularly for the purposes of prediction or causal inference.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 01, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Measures strength and direction of a relationship
Predicts or explains one variable based on another
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Jan 01, 2024
Nature
Descriptive, indicating how variables move together
Predictive, fitting a line or curve for prediction
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Jan 01, 2024
Symmetry
Symmetrical, treating variables equally
Asymmetrical, distinguishing independent and dependent variables
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Jan 01, 2024
Value Range
Correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to 1
Involves coefficients for line or curve equation
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Jan 01, 2024
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Correlation and Regression Definitions
Correlation
A measure that indicates the extent to which two or more variables fluctuate together.
The correlation between economic growth and unemployment rates is often analyzed.
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Dec 15, 2023
Regression
The process of predicting a dependent variable based on the values of independent variables.
Using regression, they predicted annual revenue based on advertising spend.
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Dec 15, 2023
Correlation
A method to quantify the strength of a relationship between two variables.
Researchers found a strong correlation between diet and health outcomes.
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Dec 15, 2023
Regression
A technique to determine the best-fitting line through a set of data points.
Linear regression was used to understand how age affects blood pressure.
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Dec 15, 2023
Correlation
A statistical index ranging from -1 to 1, showing the linear relationship between variables.
A correlation of -1 indicates a perfect negative relationship between two variables.
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Dec 15, 2023
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Regression
A statistical method for estimating the relationships among variables.
Regression analysis showed that temperature is a significant predictor of ice cream sales.
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Dec 15, 2023
Correlation
A relationship or connection between two things based on co-occurrence or pattern of change
A correlation between drug abuse and crime.
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
A tool for modeling the relationship between a scalar response and one or more explanatory variables.
Multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors affecting house prices.
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Dec 15, 2023
Correlation
(Statistics) The tendency for two values or variables to change together, in either the same or opposite way
As cigarette smoking increases, so does the incidence of lung cancer, indicating a positive correlation.
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
The analysis of the impact of a unit change in the independent variable on the dependent variable.
The regression model indicated that for every hour of study, the exam score increases by 5 points.
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Dec 15, 2023
Regression
The process or an instance of regressing, as to a less perfect or less developed state.
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Dec 13, 2023
Correlation
A reciprocal, parallel or complementary relationship between two or more comparable objects.
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
(Psychology) In psychoanalytic theory, reversion to an earlier or less mature stage of psychological development.
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Dec 13, 2023
Correlation
(statistics) One of the several measures of the linear statistical relationship between two random variables, indicating both the strength and direction of the relationship.
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Dec 13, 2023
Correlation
(algebra) An isomorphism from a projective space to the dual of a projective space, often to the dual of itself.
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
(Statistics) A technique for predicting the value of a dependent variable as a function of one or more independent variables in the presence of random error.
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Dec 13, 2023
Correlation
Reciprocal relation; corresponding similarity or parallelism of relation or law; capacity of being converted into, or of giving place to, one another, under certain conditions; as, the correlation of forces, or of zymotic diseases.
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
(Geology) A relative fall in sea level resulting in deposition of terrestrial strata over marine strata.
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Correlation
A statistic representing how closely two variables co-vary; it can vary from -1 (perfect negative correlation) through 0 (no correlation) to +1 (perfect positive correlation);
What is the correlation between those two variables?
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Dec 13, 2023
Correlation
A statistical relation between two or more variables such that systematic changes in the value of one variable are accompanied by systematic changes in the other
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Correlation
A statistical measure of how two variables move in relation to each other.
There is a high correlation between smoking and lung cancer incidence.
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Dec 15, 2023
Regression
(psychotherapy) A psychotherapeutic method whereby healing is facilitated by inducing the patient to act out behaviour typical of an earlier developmental stage.
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Dec 13, 2023
Correlation
The degree to which two variables are linearly related.
The correlation between hours studied and exam scores was significant.
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Dec 15, 2023
Regression
(statistics) An analytic method to measure the association of one or more independent variables with a dependent variable.
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
(statistics) An equation using specified and associated data for two or more variables such that one variable can be estimated from the remaining variable(s). Category:en:Functions
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
(programming) The reappearance of a bug in a piece of software that had previously been fixed.
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Regression
(medicine) The diminishing of a cellular mass like a tumor, or of an organ size.
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Regression
(exercise) The making an exercise less straining to perform by manipulating the details of its performance like loaded weight, range of motion, angle, speed.
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Dec 13, 2023
Regression
The act of passing back or returning; retrogression; retrogradation.
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Regression
(psychiatry) a defense mechanism in which you flee from reality by assuming a more infantile state
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Regression
The relation between selected values of x and observed values of y (from which the most probable value of y can be predicted for any value of x)
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Dec 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the main use of regression analysis?
To predict or explain one variable based on another.
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Jan 01, 2024
What does a correlation coefficient of 0 mean?
It indicates no linear relationship between the variables.
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Jan 01, 2024
Can regression analysis determine cause and effect?
It can suggest but not conclusively establish causation.
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Jan 01, 2024
Can regression be used for prediction?
Yes, it’s commonly used for making predictions.
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Jan 01, 2024
What type of data is needed for correlation analysis?
Two or more variables to observe their relationship.
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Jan 01, 2024
Is regression analysis symmetric?
No, it distinguishes between independent and dependent variables.
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Jan 01, 2024
What does correlation measure?
Measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
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Jan 01, 2024
What does a high positive correlation coefficient indicate?
A strong positive linear relationship between variables.
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Jan 01, 2024
How are correlation and regression related?
Correlation is often a preliminary step before regression analysis.
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Jan 01, 2024
Can you use regression with multiple independent variables?
Yes, in multiple regression analysis.
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Jan 01, 2024
Can correlation coefficients exceed 1 or -1?
No, they range only between -1 and 1.
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Jan 01, 2024
What's an example of a non-linear relationship?
A relationship that can't be represented with a straight line.
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Jan 01, 2024
How is correlation useful in real-world applications?
For identifying relationships between variables in various fields.
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Jan 01, 2024
Can regression analysis handle categorical variables?
Yes, through techniques like dummy coding.
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Jan 01, 2024
What does a negative correlation signify?
As one variable increases, the other decreases.
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Jan 01, 2024
Is linear regression the only type of regression analysis?
No, there are multiple types, including logistic regression.
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Jan 01, 2024
How is correlation different from covariance?
Correlation is standardized, while covariance is not.
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Jan 01, 2024
Does regression require a linear relationship?
Linear regression does, but there are non-linear regression models too.
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Jan 01, 2024
What is the significance of the regression line?
It represents the best fit line that predicts the dependent variable.
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Jan 01, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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