What does it mean if a correlation between two variables is described as strong?

A strong correlation between two variables indicates that there is a clear and consistent relationship between them. This means that as one variable changes, the other variable tends to change in a predictable manner, whether positively or negatively. A strong correlation does not imply dependency; rather, it suggests that the relationship is evident and can be observed consistently across different instances.

This consistent relationship allows for better insights into how these two variables interact with one another, making it clear that they are related in some way. The strength of the correlation can be quantified through a correlation coefficient, with values closer to +1 or -1 indicating a strong relationship, while values near 0 would suggest a weak relationship.

In essence, a strong correlation helps researchers and decision-makers confidently infer trends and patterns, which can inform further analysis and decision-making processes.