Which type of correlation indicates that one variable increases as the other also increases?

A positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases. This relationship demonstrates a direct association, meaning that if you were to track these two variables on a graph, they would generally form an upward slope. For instance, consider the relationship between hours studied and exam scores; as the hours studied increase, exam scores tend to rise as well.

This correlation is essential in research and data analysis because it helps in identifying and predicting relationships between different factors. Understanding that two variables are positively correlated allows researchers to anticipate how changes in one variable will influence the other. In contrast, negative correlation signifies that one variable increases while the other decreases, zero correlation indicates no relationship between the two variables, and a causal relationship implies that one variable causes the change in another rather than merely correlating with it.