Isabella reads an article in the school newspaper quoting a study that reported a correlation coefficient of +0.85 for the relationship between hours spent studying and final exam grade. She would conclude that this is a _____ relationship.

In studies, we usually establish relationships between two or more variables using correlations. Correlations tell us how this variables are related.

Two variables have a positive correlation when if one increases the other increases too.
Two variables have a negative correlation when if one increases the other decreases and vice versa.

Also, a correlation can be weak, moderate or strong. Researchers agree that a correlation that is larger than 0.70 should be considered a strong correlation.

In this example Isabella reads about a study saying there's a correlation coefficient of +0.85 between hours spent studying and final exam grade. The fact that the sign of this correlation is "+" tells us that it is positive (the more hours spent studying, the better final exam grade). We can also see that the coefficient is 0.85 which is greater than 0.70 and therefore we can consider this correlation as a strong one.

Thus, Isabella would conclude that this is a strong positive relationship.