Science Research Question - Low p-value and Low r-squared, what does it mean?

Hello all,

I am currently working on a scientific study where I am comparing the correlation between two independent variables, temperature and particulate matter concentrations. All variables are collected at the same time and same place. Conducting a correlation analysis on Minitab resulting in a p-value of less than 0.01, supposedly stating the data is significant. I performed a regression analysis and yielded an R-squared of less than 0.10. There are 770 observations.

So, with the p-value stating that the data is significant, does the R-squared state the value of the significance? Only 10%? I guess I am asking how does this relatively low R-sq value in scientific standards describe that the data? Can the R-sq value be an indicator of strength? 1 being strong and in this case 0.10 being weak? So in this example can I state there is significance between temp and particulate matter conc. but its a weak significance at only 10%? And if so can that level of strength be considered a percentage, for example in my case only a 10% correlation?

Thanks!

That's a measure of how closely they correlate. Obviously it is a small but significant factor. Basically you account for 10% of the variance... it would be a 'small' effect by most standards. You could put some other variables in to see if your model can account for more variance with those added.