Deck 15: Correlational Research and Correlation Coefficients

Question 1

The _____ correlation coefficient is used when both variables are measured on a(n) _____ scale of measurement.

A) Spearman; interval
B) Pearson; interval/ratio
C) phi; ordinal
D) point-biserial; ratio

Answer 1

Pearson; interval/ratio

Question 2

To calculate the coefficient of determination, we:

A) square the correlation coefficient.
B) take the square root of the correlation coefficient.
C) multiply the correlation coefficient by 2.
D) divide the correlation coefficient by 2.

Answer 2

square the correlation coefficient.

Question 3

The first step in the calculation of the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient is to:

A) determine the z score for each score on each variable.
B) determine the cross-products of the z scores.
C) multiply the z score for variable X by the z score for variable Y.
D) divide the cross-products by N.

Answer 3

determine the z score for each score on each variable.

Question 4

When determining the cross-products for your correlation coefficient, if positive z scores on one variable go with positive z scores on the other variable and negative z scores on one variable go with negative z scores on the other variable, then the correlation coefficient will be:

A) negative.
B) strong.
C) weak.
D) positive.

Question 5

When determining the cross-products for your correlation coefficient, if positive z scores on one variable go with negative z scores on the other variable and negative z scores on one variable go with positive z scores on the other variable, then the correlation coefficient will be:

A) negative.
B) strong.
C) weak.
D) positive.

Question 6

Suppose that the correlation between weight and the number of hours spent working out per week is +.84. What proportion (or percent) of the variability in weight is accounted for by the relationship with the number of hours spent working out?

A) 91%
B) 71%
C) 42%
D) Cannot be determined

Question 7

The correlation between two nominal variables is measured using the _____ coefficient, and the correlation between two ordinal variables is measured using the _____ coefficient.

A) Pearson product-moment correlation; Spearman rank-order correlation
B) Spearman rank-order correlation; Pearson product-moment correlation
C) phi; Spearman rank-order correlation
D) point-biserial correlation; Spearman rank-order correlation

Question 8

Kiera is interested is assessing the degree of relationship between whether or not students belong to a fraternity or sorority and the number of hours they spend volunteering each week. Kiera should use the _____ correlation coefficient to assess this relationship.

A) partial
B) point-biserial
C) phi
D) Pearson product-moment

Question 9

Tonya is interested is assessing the degree of relationship between class rank and how many hours students volunteer for community service each week. Tonya should use the _____ correlation coefficient to assess this relationship.

A) Spearman rank-order
B) point-biserial
C) phi
D) Pearson product-moment

Question 10

Juanita is interested is assessing the degree of relationship between weight and how many hours individuals spend working out each week. Juanita should use the _____ correlation coefficient to assess this relationship.

A) Spearman rank-order
B) point-biserial
C) phi
D) Pearson product-moment

Question 11

A correlation between two interval/ratio variables is measured using the _____ coefficient, and a correlation between one interval/ratio variable and one nominal variable is measured using the _____ coefficient.

A) Pearson product-moment correlation; Spearman rank-order correlation
B) Spearman rank-order correlation; Pearson product-moment correlation
C) phi; Spearman rank-order correlation
D) Pearson product-moment correlation; point-biserial correlation

Question 12

A correlation between two interval/ratio variables is measured using the _____ coefficient, and a correlation between two nominal variables is measured using the _____ coefficient.

A) Pearson product-moment correlation; phi coefficient
B) Spearman rank-order correlation; Pearson product-moment correlation
C) phi; Spearman rank-order correlation
D) Pearson product-moment correlation; point-biserial correlation

Question 13

A correlation between one interval/ratio variable and one ordinal variable is measured using the _____ coefficient, and the correlation between one interval/ratio variable and one nominal variable is measured using the _____ coefficient.

A) Pearson product-moment correlation; Spearman rank-order correlation
B) Spearman rank-order correlation; point-biserial correlation
C) phi; Spearman rank-order correlation
D) Pearson product-moment correlation; point-biserial correlation

Question 14

Calculate the Pearson product-moment correlation for the data given below.

Question 15

Explain when each of the correlation coefficients listed below should be used.

-• Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient

Question 16

Explain when each of the correlation coefficients listed below should be used.

-• Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient

Question 17

Explain when each of the correlation coefficients listed below should be used.

-• Point-biserial correlation coefficient

Question 18

Explain when each of the correlation coefficients listed below should be used.

-• Phi coefficient

Question 19

Which of the following indicates the magnitude of a correlation coefficient?

A) Slope
B) Sign
C) Absolute value
D) None of the above

Question 20

A correlation coefficient of _____ indicates that the variables form a perfect linear relationship.

A) +1.00
B) -1.00
C) 0.00
D) +1.00 and -1.00

Question 21

When a correlation is observed between two variables, this allows us to:

A) describe a relationship between variables.
B) predict from one variable to another.
C) determine that one variable causes changes in the other.
D) both describe relationships and predict from one variable to another.

Question 22

In a recent study, it was found that the correlation between self-esteem and depression was -64. Explain what this means.