Correlation

 Correlation is the extent to which two

variables are related.
 If the two variables are highly related, then
knowing the value of one of them will allow
you to predict the other variable with
considerable accuracy.
 The less highly related the variable, the less
accurate your ability to predict when you
know the other.
Smith/Davis (c) 2005 Prentice Hall
The Pearson Product Moment
Correlation Coefficient

 The correlation coefficient is the single number that

represents the degree of relation between two
variables.
 The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation
Coefficient (symbolized by r) is the most common
measure of correlation; researchers calculate it when
both the X variable and the Y variable are interval or
ration scale measurements. Mathematically, it can be
defined as the average of the cross-products of z-
scores.
 The raw score formula for r is:

Smith/Davis (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Smith/Davis (c) 2005 Prentice Hall
The Range of r Values

 An r of 0 denotes no relationship
 An r from +/- 0.01 to +/- 0.20 denotes negligible correlation
 An r from +/- 0.21 to +/- 0.40 denotes low or slight relationship
 An r from +/- 0.41 to +/- 0.70 denotes moderate correlation
 An r from +/- 0.71 to +/- 0.90 denotes high relationship
 An r from +/- 0.91 to +/- 0.99 denotes very high relationship
 An r of +/- 1.00 denotes perfect relationship

Smith/Davis (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

For each student in a computer science seminar, Prof Jun recorded
the number of hours logged on the computer (x) while preparing for a
final exam, along with the scores on the final examination (y). The
results are given in the adjoining table. Do these data and indicate a
significant degree of relationship.

Student Hrs on Score in Exam

Computer (x) (y)
Aiza 5 60
Bobot 8 60
Cathy 10 70
Dada 12 65
Erlinda 14 85
Fayedan 15 70
Gina 18 80
Hardie 20 90
A farmer was interested in the relationship between the amount of fertilizer
(x) and the number of bags (y) of soybeans produced. The farmer
conducted an experiment and obtained the data in the adjoining table. Do
these data and indicate a significant degree of linear relationship.

Lbs per Acre Bags per Acre

X Y
1.0 25
2.5 32
3.0 35
3.0 32
3.4 35
4.0 39
4.0 41
4.5 40