What term describes the associations between two or more variables?

The term that describes the associations between two or more variables is "Correlation." This concept refers specifically to how changes in one variable are related to changes in another variable, indicating the strength and direction of the relationship. In statistics, correlation quantifies relationships, demonstrating whether they are positive, negative, or non-existent.

For example, a positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other also tends to increase, while a negative correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. Correlation can be measured using correlation coefficients, which provide a numerical value to the relationship's strength and direction.

The term "relationship" is more general and may refer to any kind of association between variables, but it does not specifically imply the statistical nature of correlation. "Connection" is also too broad, lacking the precise measurement aspect critical in statistical analysis. "Interaction," on the other hand, refers to a specific type of relationship in which the effect of one variable on another depends on a third variable, which is different from simply describing the association between two variables.

Understanding correlation is essential in marketing analysis as it helps identify trends and relationships that can influence decision-making.