Pearson r only measures straight-line relationships and is sensitive to outliers. A curved pattern can give an r near 0 even when the link is strong.
Frequently asked questions
What does r mean?
It runs from −1 to +1. Near +1 the two lists rise together, near −1 one rises as the other falls, and near 0 there is little straight-line relationship.
What is r²?
The share of the variation in Y that a straight line on X explains. An r² of 0.6 means 60%.
Does correlation prove cause?
No. Two things can move together because of a third factor or by chance.