Spearman 

Rank Correlation

A measure of Rank Correlation

Group 3
 The Spearman Correlation
• Spearman’s correlation is designed to measure
the relationship between variables measured on
an ordinal scale of measurement.

• Similar to Pearson’s Correlation, however it

uses ranks as opposed to actual values.
 Assumptions
• The data is a bivariate random variable.

• The measurement scale is at least ordinal.

• Xi ,Yi is independent of Xj ,Yj where i ≠ j

 Advantages
1. Less sensitive to bias due to the effect of
outliers
- Can be used to reduce the weight of outliers (large distances get
treated as a one-rank difference)

4. Does not require assumption of normality.

6. When the intervals between data points are

problematic, it is advisable to study the
rankings rather than the actual values.
 Disadvantages
1. Calculations may become tedious. Additionally
ties are important and must be factored into
computation.
Steps in Calculating Spearman’s Rho
1. Convert the observed values to ranks
(accounting for ties)
2. Find the difference between the ranks, square
them and sum the squared differences.
3. Set up hypothesis, carry out test and conclude
based on findings.
Steps in Calculating Spearman’s Rho
1. If the null is rejected then calculate the
Spearman correlation coefficient to measure
the strength of the relationship between the
variables.
 Hypothesis: I
A. (Two-Tailed)
Ho : There is no correlation between the Xs and the Ys.
(there is mutual independence between the Xs and the Ys)

H1 : There is a correlation between the Xs and the Ys.

(there is mutual dependence between the Xs and the Ys)
 Hypothesis: II
B. (One-Tailed - Lower)
Ho : There is no correlation between the Xs and the Ys.
(there is mutual independence between the Xs and the Ys)

H1 : There is a negative correlation between the Xs and

the Ys.
 Hypothesis: III
C. (One-Tailed - Upper)
Ho : There is no correlation between the Xs and the Ys.
(there is mutual independence between the Xs and the Ys)

H1 : There is a positive correlation between the Xs and

the Ys.
 Test Statistic
For small samples (N < 40):
T=Σdi2 = Σ[R(Xi) - R(Yi)]2
For large samples:

1 3
T − ( n − n)
Z =
* 16
1 2
n (n + 1) (n − 1)
2

36
(Reject using the appropriate Z critical value)
 Test Statistic
• In the case of a large sample:

1 3 1 2 
T ~ N  (n − n); n (n + 1) (n − 1)
2

16 36 
 Decision Rules
A. Two-tailed:
Reject H0 if T≤ Sα/2 or T > S1- α/2 .
Do not reject otherwise.

B. One-tailed - Lower:
Reject H0 if T > S1- α .
Do not reject otherwise.

C. One-tailed- Upper:
Reject H0 if T≤ Sα.
Do not reject otherwise.
 Spearman’s Rho
In the case of few ties (less than 5% of the sample):

n
6∑d i
2

ρ =1 − i =1
N ( N −1) 2
Where di is the difference in the ranks of each pair
and N is the number of pairs
 Spearman’s Rho
If there are numerous ties:
2
n
 n +1
∑ R( xi ) R( yi ) − n
 2 

ρ= i =1
0.5 0.5
n  n + 1 
2
  n
 n +1 
2

∑ R( xi ) − n   ∑ R( yi ) − n
2 2
 
 i =1  2    i =1  2  
 Spearman’s Rho
Assumes values between -1 and +1

-1 ≤ ρ ≤ 0 ≤ ρ ≤ +1

Perfectly Negative Perfectly Positive

Correlation Correlation
 Example 1
The ICC rankings for One Day International (ODI) and
Test matches for nine teams are shown below.
Team Test Rank ODI Rank
Australia 1 1
India 2 3
South Africa 3 2
Sri Lanka 4 7
England 5 6
Pakistan 6 4
New Zealand 7 5
West Indies 8 8
Bangladesh 9 9
Test whether there is correlation between the ranks
 Example 1
Team Test Rank ODI Rank d d2
Australia 1 1 0 0
India 2 3 1 1
South Africa 3 2 1 1
Sri Lanka 4 7 3 9
England 5 6 1 1
Pakistan 6 4 2 4
New Zealand 7 5 2 4
West Indies 8 8 0 0
Bangladesh 9 9 0 0
Total 20

Answer:
T = ∑ d i = 20
2
ρ = 0.8333.
 Example 2
A composite rating is given by executives to
each college graduate joining a plastic
manufacturing firm. The executive ratings
represent the future potential of the college
graduate. The graduates then enter an in-plant
training programme and are given another
composite rating. The executive ratings and the
in-plant ratings are as follows:
 Graduate Executive rating (X) Training rating (Y)
A 8 4
B 10 4
C 9 4
D 4 3
E 12 6
F 11 9
G 11 9
H 7 6
I 8 6
J 13 9
K 10 5
L 12 9

• At the 5% level of significance, determine if there is a

positive correlation between the variables
• Find the rank correlation coefficient if the null is rejected