The Difference between Correlation and Regression

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Iliya Valchanov Iliya Valchanov 26 Oct 2021 4 min read

When you first hear about regressions, you may think that correlation and regression are synonyms or at least they related to the same concept. This statement is somewhat supported by the fact that many academic papers in the past were based solely on correlations.

However, correlation and regression are far from the same concept. So, let’s see what the relationship is between correlation analysis and regression analysis.

There is a single expression that sums it up nicely: correlation does not imply causation!

With that in mind, it’s time to start exploring the various differences between correlation and regression.

1. The Relationship between Variables

First, correlation measures the degree of relationship between two variables. Regression analysis is about how one variable affects another or what changes it triggers in the other.

1. Relationship - One variable affects the other, correlation and regression

For more on variables and regression, check out our tutorial How to Include Dummy Variables into a Regression.

2. Causality

Second, correlation doesn’t capture causality but the degree of interrelation between the two variables. Regression is based on causality. It shows no degree of connection, but cause and effect.

2. Movement together - Cause and effect, correlation and regression

3. Are X and Y Interchangeable?

Third, a property of correlation is that the correlation between x and y is the same as between y and x. You can easily spot that from the formula, which is symmetrical. Regressions of y on x and x on y yield different results. Think about income and education. Predicting income, based on education makes sense, but the opposite does not.

3. p (x,y) = p (y,x) - One way, correlation and regression

4. Graphical Representation of Correlation and Regression Analysis

Finally, the two methods have a very different graphical representation. Linear regression analysis is known for the best fitting line that goes through the data points and minimizes the distance between them. Whereas, correlation is a single point.

4. Single point - line

Want to learn how to visualize statistical data? Check out our tutorials How to Visualize Numerical Data with Histograms and Visualizing Data with Bar, Pie and Pareto Charts.

Key Differences Between Correlation and Regression

To sum up, there are four key aspects in which these terms differ.

  1. When it comes to correlation, there is a relationship between the variables. Regression, on the other hand, puts emphasis on how one variable affects the other.
  2. Correlation does not capture causality, while regression is founded upon it.
  3. Correlation between x and y is the same as the one between y and x. Contrary, a regression of x and y, and y and x, yields completely different results.
  4. Lastly, the graphical representation of a correlation is a single point. Whereas, a linear regression is visualized by a line.

So, now that you have proof that correlation and regression are different, it is time for a new challenge. Find out how to decompose variability by diving into the linked tutorial.

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Iliya Valchanov

Iliya Valchanov

Co-founder of 365 Data Science

Iliya is a finance graduate with a strong quantitative background who chose the exciting path of a startup entrepreneur. He demonstrated a formidable affinity for numbers during his childhood, winning more than 90 national and international awards and competitions through the years. Iliya started teaching at university, helping other students learn statistics and econometrics. Inspired by his first happy students, he co-founded 365 Data Science to continue spreading knowledge. He authored several of the program’s online courses in mathematics, statistics, machine learning, and deep learning.

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