Title: correlation analysis
Long Title: IUPAC Gold Book - correlation analysis
DOI: 10.1351/goldbook.C01346
Status: current

Definition
The use of empirical correlations relating one body of experimental data to another, with the objective of finding quantitative estimates of the factors underlying the phenomena involved. Correlation analysis in organic chemistry often uses linear free-energy relations for rates or equilibria of reactions, but the term also embraces similar analysis of physical (most commonly spectroscopic) properties and of biological activity.

Related Terms
- linear free-energy relations: https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/L03551
- quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR): https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/Q04981

Source
- PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1101 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)

Other Outputs
- html: https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/C01346/html
- json: https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/C01346/json
- xml: https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/C01346/xml

Citation: Citation: 'correlation analysis' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. 10.1351/goldbook.C01346
License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms.
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Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.
Accessed: 2026-05-10T19:52:59+00:00