If a scatter plot shows points that are closely clustered together, what can you infer about the correlation between the variables?

When a scatter plot displays points that are closely clustered together, it often indicates a strong correlation between the variables. This means that as one variable changes, the other variable tends to change in a predictable way, either positively or negatively. The tighter the grouping of the points, the stronger the relationship, suggesting that one variable can significantly help predict the value of the other. However, it's essential to consider that correlation does not imply causation. Just because two variables appear to be related through a scatter plot doesn't mean that one causes the other to change. Other factors or variables might be at play, so it's crucial to delve deeper into the context of the data and consider additional analyses or controls.