Intercorrelated is an adjective used to describe a relationship between two or more variables that are closely and systematically associated with each other. It indicates that when one variable changes, there is a corresponding change in the other variables being analyzed. This term is commonly utilized in statistical and research fields to describe the extent to which variables are linked together.
When variables are intercorrelated, their scores tend to rise or fall together, suggesting a consistent pattern of association. This can be assessed through correlation analysis, where a correlation coefficient is computed to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between variables. Positive intercorrelation implies that as one variable increases, the other variables also increase, while negative intercorrelation signifies that as one variable increases, the other variables decrease.
The degree of intercorrelation can vary from weak to strong. A correlation coefficient of 0 indicates no intercorrelation, whereas a coefficient of -1 or +1 signifies a perfect negative or positive intercorrelation, respectively. Values between 0 and +/- 1 indicate partial intercorrelation.
Intercorrelated variables can provide valuable insights into the underlying patterns and relationships within a dataset. Understanding the intercorrelation between variables is important in fields like economics, psychology, social sciences, and market research, as it helps researchers identify factors that influence or explain the behavior or outcome of interest.
The word "intercorrelated" is derived from a combination of two root terms: "inter" and "correlated".
The prefix "inter-" comes from Latin, where it means "between" or "among". It indicates a relationship or involvement of multiple entities or concepts, connecting them together.
The term "correlated" comes from the Latin word "correlatus", which means "brought together". In modern English, "correlated" refers to the statistical relationship between two or more variables, indicating how they are connected or associated with each other.
Therefore, when these two terms are combined, "intercorrelated" refers to the relationship between several variables or concepts, suggesting they are mutually connected or influencing each other.