Definition

1. Noun:
   • A statistical relationship where as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease: An indirect correlation describes an inverse association between two variables. When the value of one variable is high, the value of the other variable is typically low, and vice versa. This relationship is quantified by a correlation coefficient that falls between 0 and -1.

Usage

• The term is used primarily in statistics, data analysis, and research contexts to describe the nature of a relationship between two measured quantities.
• It indicates a negative or inverse relationship, but not necessarily a causal one.

Examples

• Noun:
  • There is an indirect correlation between study hours and exam anxiety; students who study more tend to report lower anxiety levels.
  • The researcher found an indirect correlation between average temperature and sales of winter coats.

Advanced Usage

• "to show an indirect correlation": to demonstrate or reveal this specific type of statistical relationship.
  • The data shows a strong indirect correlation between practice time and error rates.
• "to have an indirect correlation with": to be linked in this inverse manner.
  • Economic stability often has an indirect correlation with crime rates in urban areas.

Variants and Related Words

• Negative correlation (n): A more common synonym for indirect correlation.
• Inverse relationship (n): A general term describing the same pattern of association.
• Correlation coefficient (n): The numerical measure (between -1 and +1) that indicates the strength and direction of a correlation.

Synonyms

• Negative correlation
• Inverse correlation

Related Phrases

• Correlation is not causation: A crucial principle reminding that a correlation (direct or indirect) does not prove one variable causes the change in the other.

Noun

1. a correlation in which large values of one variable are associated with small values of the other; the correlation coefficient is between 0 and -1