SRT 605: CORRELATION

Dr Tan Chee Hian

Profesor Madya
Sports Management Department
FSR, UiTM Shah Alam
03-55442949
A4046
tanchee@salam.uitm.edu.my
Correlation
Concerned with measuring the strength of the relationship between continuous
variables.
Interested in the degree of the correlation /association between continuous
variables.
The data can be represented by the ordered pairs (x,y) where x is the independent,
or explanatory, variable and y is the dependent, or response, variable.
Examples of variables that may be correlated:
– height and shoe size
– number of cigarettes smoked per day and lung capacity
Methods for calculating correlation:
The parametric Pearson, correlation
The nonparametric Spearman, correlation
Spearman correlation is good to be used when the data is an
ordinal.
Correlation coefficient
Correlation Coefficient r
- It is a constant that provides information on the strength of the
linear association of 2 variables.
- It can range from -1.0 to +1.0
- A positive correlation coefficient indicates a positive relationship, a
negative coefficient indicates an inverse Relationship.
- Correlation CANNOT be equated with causality.
Scatter plot
A scatterplot is a plot of points that represent the values of the two
continuous variables for each individual in the data set.

Scatterplots provide a visual description of the relation between two

continuous variables.
Strength of the relationship
- 1: perfect negative relation
+1: perfect positive relation

0: no linear association

Perfect linear relationship

happens only when all the points of
the scatter plot lie exactly on a
straight line.
Examples
Scatter Plots of Data with Various Correlation
Coefficients

r =-
r = -1 r = - .6 r=0

r=+1 r = + .3 r=0
Example

GPA Math SAT

Positive Correlation
* as x increases, y increases
Con’t

x = hours of training
y = number of accidents

Accident

hours of training
Negative Correlation
*as x increases, y decreases
Con’t

x = height y = IQ

IQ

height

No linear correlation
Correlation Coefficient Interpretation
Guilford Rule of Thumb interpretation:
Coefficient Range Strength of Relationship
0.00 – 0.29 Low
0.30 – 0.49 Moderate
0.50 – 1.00 High
Correlation with SPSS - Computer
Describing relationship between continuous variables:
Data set :
Interested in the relationship between body weight and height in growing children.

Graphical display :
Scatter plot : a graph of a collection of pairs of X and Y values.
SPSS steps:
Graphs Legacy Dialogue Scatter/Dot
Con’t
Output of SPSS
Correlation
Statistics : describing linear relationship.
Correlation coefficient, r : a number that
expresses the strength and the direction of linear
relationship between 2 continuous variables.

PARAMETRIC Pearson
NON-PARAMETRIC: Spearman Rank
Con’t
Before it could be chosen,
• let’s check whether the weight and height are Normally
distributed.
• If normal: parametric test
• If non normal : non-parametric test
SPSS - Computer
Output
Based on histogram for both variables, it showed that the
distribution are normal
Interpretation – Chosen appropriate stat

Since both weight and height are normally distributed, therefore, we

proceed in calculating the Pearson’s correlation coefficient

But if one of the distribution is non- normal, let’s use non-parametric

test.

Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient

Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient
OUTPUT
ht wt

ht Pearson Correlation 1 .479**

Sig (2 tailed) .000
N 2820 2820
wt Pearson Correlation .479** 1
Sig (2 tailed) .000
N 2820 2820
Con’t
From the height & weight example, r = 0.48 (moderate correlation)
and p-value <0.001(significant).

Therefore,
Concluded that children who are taller tend to be heavier.
 Report APA Style
Table 1
Correlation between height and weight of growing children
Weight
Height 0.479**
Note : ** = p <0.001. N = 2820

Conclusion:
The height and weight among growing children were moderately correlated, r
(2820) = 0.479, p < .001.
Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient

But if one of the distribution is non-normal, let’s use non-parametric

test
Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient
Con’t
SPSS Output
Spearman rho ht Correlation Coefficient 1 .000 .488**
Sig (2 tailed) .000
N 2820 2820
wt Correlation Coefficient .488**
1.000
Sig (2 tailed) .000
N 2820 2820
Interpretation

From the height & weight example, r = 0.49 and p-value

<0.001(significant).

Therefore, concluded that children who are taller tend to be

heavier