In the context of a correlational study, what does the positive or negative sign of a correlation coefficient indicate?

Positive correlation coefficient - variables are moving in the same direction.

Negative correlation coefficient - variables are moving in opposite directions.

Step-by-step explanation:

First, let us define what a correlation coefficient is.

The correlation coefficient measures the degree to which the movements of two variables are associated. In other words, it measures the strength of the relationship between two variables. positive correlation: a positive correlation coefficient is when the value is greater than zero (0), and it indicates that variables are moving in the same direction. negative correlation: a negative correlation coefficient is when the value is less than zero (0), and it indicates that variables are moving in opposite directions.

Direct or inverse relation between two variables

Step-by-step explanation:

Now, we first have to understand that what is correlation study. In a correlational study, we try to find the relation between two variables. For example, mass and weight of a substance. If mass increases the weight will increase as well. it represent that both have strong positive correlation. Now the positive sign indicates that the correlation is directly proportional. Means if one variable increases, other will follow. Whereas, negative sign shows that two variables are inversely proportional, means, if one increases, other will decrease. For example any demand and supply system in economics. When supply is short, demand will rise, but if there is enough supply, demand will fall down accordingly.

Also notify that the coefficient is actually indicates the strength of relation between two variables. For example, if you pour water in container it will increase the weight of container, so it is directly proportional, now if you start to add honey, it will increase the weight of container more rapidly because honey has more density. So, coefficient of correlation for quantity of honey and weight of container is stronger than for quantity of water and weight of container.