Final answer:
Regression analysis tests the relationship, calculates a line of best fit, and calculates the correlation coefficient.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regression analysis is a statistical technique which is used to determine the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. It calculates a mathematical function that best fits the data and tests how closely this function matches the data.
The defining features of regression analysis are:
- Testing the relationship: Regression analysis is used to test whether the relationship between two variables is negative or positive and how strong the relationship is between the variables.
- Line of best fit: Regression analysis calculates a mathematical function that best fits the data. This line of best fit can be used to predict values within the given set of data.
- Correlation coefficient: Regression analysis calculates the correlation coefficient, which measures the strength and direction of the relationship between the variables. The significance of the correlation coefficient indicates how reliable the relationship is.