# Triangle correlation between independent variables

I am currently writing my thesis and I am about to conduct some t-tests and a regression analysis. Before using my data, I conducted a correlation test. Now I found the following: I have a couple of independent variables (one is the "real" IV, the others are control variables). Three of the control/independent variables correlate with each other in some kind of triangle:

x <-> y: 0.214***

x <-> z: 0.611***

y <-> z: 0.210***

Is this a problem for my analysis and if so, do you suggest me to remove the variables? (x and y do furthermore correlate with the dependent variable.)

• Multicollinearity is not a problem in the sense that it leads to wrong coefficients. The only thing what multicollinearity does is to increase your standard errors (and thus you p-values, too). In your case, I would be more worried that either $X$ or $Z$ is a confounder, because then in this case, your coefficients will be wrong. Furthermore, the correlation between $X$ and $Z$ isn't that bad to be worried about multicolineartiy. If you want to know more, I suggest you google the term variance inflation factor – Tom Pape Feb 4 at 9:31