Does a strong correlation indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between variables?

No, a strong correlation does not necessarily indicate a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. Correlation only measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables, but it does not imply that one variable causes changes in the other. Other factors, such as confounding variables or coincidence, can also contribute to the observed correlation. Establishing causation typically requires additional evidence, such as controlled experiments or longitudinal studies.