Deck 8: Correlational Research and Resources

Question 1

Of the following, which is most likely an example of a correlational study?

A) A study that shares the typical symptoms of repeated sports concussions in high school athletes.
B) A study that relates the pre- and post- concussion memory scores in a group of athletes.
C) A study that breaks down the number of sports concussions by sport played and number of years played.
D) A study that tests the effects of a concussion training program on number of concussions.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The graph below most likely represents a correlation of

A) -.30
B) 0.0
C) .40
D) .60

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Paul found an internal consistency reliability coefficient of .85 for his self-esteem measure. Paul's instrument

A) shows high internal consistency reliability.
B) indicates acceptable internal consistency reliability.
C) indicates minimally acceptable internal consistency reliability.
D) shows poor internal consistency reliability.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following demonstrates the strongest correlation coefficient?

A) 0.0
B)1.5
C) .65
D)-.72

Question 5

Of the following, which is most likely an example of a correlational study?

A) A study that indicated differences in GPA between ROTC and non ROTC students.
B) A study that examines organizational variables that predict retention of special education teachers.
C) A study that examines characteristics of exchange student host families.
D) A study that examines the effect of overt displays of teacher empathy on student class behavior.

Question 6

According to your text, the fewest number of participants required for a correlation study is

A) 15.
B) 30.
C) 45.
D) 60.

Question 7

Which of the following represents the strongest correlation?

A) -.85
B) 0.0
C) .35
D) .65

Question 8

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
Suzanne reported a correlation between reading ability and math grades of r= .90 in the first grade. This correlation indicates that in Suzanne's study

A) reading ability is strongly related to math grades.
B) reading and math grades are independent.
C) reading ability and math grades are mutually exclusive.
D) reading ability and math grades are moderately related.

Question 9

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
Kevin's analysis indicated that in his dataset SES was correlated r=.25 with absenteeism. This indicates that

A) as SES increases there is a corresponding increase in absenteeism..
B) SES is moderately correlated with absenteeism.
C) SES does not predict absenteeism.
D) absenteeism is strongly correlated with SES.

Question 10

Given the graph below what is the most likely correlation between these variables?

A) -.60
B) .30
C) .80
D) 1.0

Question 11

Given a correlation of r=.60, the common variance shared by the variables is

A) 16%.
B) 36%.
C) 60%.
D) 90%.

Question 12

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
Russell, a principal in a large urban district, finds a correlation of r=.72 between number of free periods in a student's schedule and number of discipline referrals for that student. This correlation indicates that at his school

A) free periods and discipline referrals are independent.
B) as the number of free periods decrease the likelihood of discipline referral decreases.
C) as the number of free periods decrease the likelihood of discipline referral increases
D) free periods and discipline referrals directly correspond to one another.

Question 13

A strong negative correlation coefficient indicates that

A) two variables are not related.
B) two variables are inversely related.
C) there has been measurement error.
D) there has been calculation error

Question 14

Correlation studies must include

A) two or more levels of independent variable.
B) two or more variables and one group.
C) three or more variables and two groups.
D) one independent variable and two dependent variables.

Question 15

Which of the following cannot be a correlation coefficient?

A) -.80
B) 0.0
C) .72
D) 2.1

Question 16

Which of the following correlation coefficients best represents the plot below?

A) -.45
B) -.25
C) .15
D) .75

Question 17

Given a correlation of r=.80, the common variance shared by the variables is approximately

A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 65%
D) 80%

Question 18

Correlational studies are used primarily to

A) examine relationships among variables.
B) examine if differences between groups exist.
C) determine causal relationships.
D) determine if experimental treatments work.

Question 19

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
Qi's analysis indicated that for those students who took calculus in high school and then introductory calculus in the first year of University, grades were correlated r=.45. This indicates that high school grades and university grades are

A) strongly related.
B) independent.
C) moderately related.
D) mutually exclusive.

Question 20

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
Joyce read a study that reported students' age was correlated r= -.68 with classroom management referrals. This correlation indicates as age increases,

A) classroom management referrals are about equally likely to decrease or increase.
B) classroom management referrals are more likely to decrease.
C) classroom management referrals are more likely to increase.
D) classroom management referrals are likely to remain at the same level.

Question 21

A Phi coefficient is used for

A) rank level data.
B) continuous level data.
C) artificial dichotomous level data.
D) true dichotomous level data.

Question 22

The criterion variable in a prediction study is another name for the

A) the predictor variable.
B) the variable that is predicted.
C) the regression variable.
D) the independent variable.

Question 23

General guidelines for interpreting correlations, in a group study, as presented in your text indicate that a correlation of r=-.82 is considered

A) un-interpretable.
B) low.
C) average.
D) strong.

Question 24

Sam concluded in his research report that as class size increased teaching efficacy also increased. Of the following which is a correlation coefficient would best support Sam's claim.

A) -.82
B) .09
C) .24
D) .68

Question 25

Attentuation refers to

A) stating there is not a relationship between two variables when there is one
B) lowered accuracy in a prediction equation when it is applied to a new sample.
C) combining many variables in order to predict the most amount of variance.
D) effects of unreliable instruments underestimating the correlation.

Question 26

Gretchen wanted to see if given a sample of teachers' that graduated from colleges and Universities, GPA in college was related to starting salary as a teacher. Which correlation coefficient should Gretchen calculate?

A) Pearson r
B) eta
C) Kendall's tau
D) Spearman rho

Question 27

Joni teaches a preschool class. She has eight students and ranks them based upon math and reading ability. She would like to see if there is a relationship between how well her students are ranked in math and in reading. Which of the following correlations should she use?

A) Kendall's tau
B) Phi coefficient
C) Biserial
D) eta

Question 28

Testing the statistical significance of a correlation requires knowledge of

A) mean, sample size, level of significance.
B) mean and level of significance.
C) level of significance and sample size.
D) sample size and mean.

Question 29

Data collection for types of correlation studies is generally

A) longer than most qualitative approaches.
B) shorter for prediction studies than for correlation studies.
C) longer than most types of quantitative research.
D) shorter than most types of quantitative research.

Question 30

The most commonly used correlation is the

A) Pearson r.
B) eta.
C) Kendall's tau.
D) Spearman's rho.

Question 31

George suspects that there is a curvilinear relationship in his data set. Which of the following correlation coefficient should George calculate?

A) Pearson
B) eta
C) Kendall's tau
D) Spearman rho

Question 32

Regarding sampling, one strategy to facilitate obtaining accurate results if there will be subgroup correlations would be to select a

A) stratified sample.
B) cluster sample.
C) random sample.
D) purposive sample.

Question 33

Shrinkage refers to

A) lowered accuracy in a prediction equation when it is applied to a new sample.
B) combining many variables in order to predict the most amount of variance.
C) effects of unreliable instruments underestimating the correlation.
D) a measure of the error found in a regression equation.

Question 34

Errors in instrument reliability

A) do not effect interrelatedness of variables.
B) decrease the number of significant relationships found.
C) increase the number of significant relationships found.
D) may either increase of decrease the number of relationships between variables.

Question 35

A Pearson r correlation is best used for data that is

A) only ordinal level.
B) both ordinal and interval level.
C) only interval level.
D) both interval and ratio.

Question 36

General guidelines for interpreting correlations in a group study as presented in your text indicate that a correlation of r=30 is considered

A) not interpretable.
B) low and not important.
C) average but meaningful.
D) high and predictive.

Question 37

In her prediction study of high school mathematics experiences and University calculus performance, Kirby reported that number of courses taken was correlated r=.42 while the grades in high school mathematics courses was correlated r=.25 with university grades. Given her findings, Kirby can conclude which of the following?

A) High school grades are a better predictor than are number of courses taken.
B) Both high school grades and number of courses taken are strong predictors.
C) Both high school grades and number of courses taken are weak predictors.
D) Number of courses taken are a better predictor than are high school grades.

Question 38

The correlation that Kim found in her study between math self-efficacy and enrollment in advanced mathematics was r=.25. Her correlation can be described as

A) low.
B) meaningful.
C) strong.
D) predictive.

Question 39

In a prediction study of low achieving students academic motivation, Hillary was surprised that achievement scores were not a significant predictor of motivation. Hillary's analysis is most likely is displaying

A) shrinkage.
B) attenuation.
C) standard variance.
D) restriction of range.

Question 40

Generally, when more variables are added to a prediction equation

A) more variance in the criterion variable is accounted for.
B) more variance in the predictor variables are accounted for.
C) less variance in the criterion variable is accounted for.
D) less variance in the predictor variable is accounted for.

Question 41

In a single prediction question Y=a + bX), Y represents an)

A) predicted criterion score.
B) distribution of scores in the sample.
C) individual's score.
D) constant calculated from the scores.

Question 42

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
Monica, on the other hand, reported a correlation of 3.4 between community service and interest in helping professions among adolescents. This finding suggests that

A) there is no relationship between community service and interest in helping professions.
B) the more community service one performs the more likely one is to have interest in a helping profession.
C) the more community service one performs the less likely one is to have interest in a helping profession.
D) Monica has calculated the correlation incorrectly because 3.4 is not a possible correlation coefficient.

Question 43

Jack administered an achievement test with an internal consistency reliability of .75. Given the measure, how should Jack interpret the correlation? The instrument indicates

A) high internal consistency reliability.
B) moderate internal consistency reliability.
C) acceptable internal consistency reliability.
D) low internal consistency reliability.

Question 44

When using correlational analysis with multiple predictors and multiple criterion variables the appropriate procedure is

A) Multiple Linear Regression
B) Canonical correlation
C) Discriminate function analysis
D) Path analysis

Question 45

Duffy's research addresses the relationships among amount of practice time, race times, and motivation for running in high school athletes. He measures motivation for running by a Likert scale.
Duffy's findings indicate a strong positive relationship between practice time and race times. Which of the following is a possible correlation in his research?

A) -.80
B) -.30
C) .30
D) .80

Question 46

Cheryl used age, education, and income to predict scores on a life satisfaction survey. Her regression equation accounted for 58% of the variance in life satisfaction. She collects a new sample and applies her equation.
In Cheryl's second sample, the variance she accounts for will likely __________ due to __________.

A) decrease, attentuation
B) increase, replication
C) decrease, shrinkage
D) increase, regression.

Question 47

In a large study that examines the ability of a new instrument to measure the types of achievement motivation. Min relations of the items to one another. She has employed which of the following analysis approaches?

A) Multiple Linear Regression
B) Factor Analysis
C) Discriminate function analysis
D) Canonical correlation

Question 48

Duffy's research addresses the relationships among amount of practice time, race times, and motivation for running in high school athletes. He measures motivation for running by a Likert scale.
Given Duffy's research, which one of the following correlation coefficients should he use to analyze his data?

A) Kendall's tau
B) Spearman's rho
C) Pearson r
D) Phi coefficient

Question 49

A study of the relationship between SES and high school completion rates indicated a correlation of r=.60. How much variance do these two variables share?

A) 20%
B) 36%
C) 40%
D) 60%

Question 50

The common variance shared by the predictor and criterion variables is referred to as the

A) coefficient of determination.
B) standard error of regression.
C) coefficient of regression.
D) standard error of determination.

Question 51

Barb is calculating the correlations between test items on a new version of her I like school assessment. Of the following, which is likely a correlation coefficient for her to use?

A) Kendall's tau
B) Spearman's rho
C) Correlation ratio
D) Phi coefficient

Question 52

Cindy wants to use a correlational analysis to predict if individuals' are field-dependent or field-independent. Which of the following analysis approaches should she use?

A) Multiple Linear Regression
B) Canonical correlation
C) Discriminate function analysis
D) Path analysis

Question 53

In a single prediction question Y=a + bX), X represents an)

A) predicted criterion score.
B) distribution of scores in the sample.
C) individual's score.
D) constant calculated from the scores.

Question 54

A correlation between reading and math achievement scores on a national standardized test for first graders indicates a correlation of r=.90. How much variance do these scores share?

A) 30%
B) 45%
C) 81%
D) 90%

Question 55

Compared to causal-comparative studies, one advantage of correlational studies in schools is that they often

A) are more ethical.
B) require fewer participants.
C) take less time.
D) cost less.

Question 56

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
Kenji reported a correlation of -.85 between hours spent in community service and adolescent drug use. This finding suggests that

A) there is no relationship between community service and adolescent drug use.
B) the more community service one performs the more likely one is to use drugs.
C) the more community service one performs the less likely one is to use drugs.
D) Kenji has calculated the correlation incorrectly because he has a negative number.

Question 57

Which of the following illustrates a correlational research topic?

A) Do weight and number of days per week of exercise predict life satisfaction?
B) Are there differences between men and women in life satisfaction?
C) What are is someone with a high life satisfaction score like?
D) Are there self-esteem differences in children from either families with or without high life satisfaction?

Question 58

Which of the following measures is used when the criterion variable in a prediction study is categorical?

A) Multiple regression
B) Path analysis c Discriminate function analysis
D) Connonical correlation

Question 59

When considering the use of Spearman rho or Pearson r for use with a small sample.

A) Spearman's rho is more accurate than Pearson r
B) Spearman's rho is easier to calculate.
C) Pearson r is the appropriate measure to use.
D) Pearson r is easier to calculate.

Question 60

Cheryl used age, education, and income to predict scores on a life satisfaction survey. Her regression equation accounted for 58% of the variance in life satisfaction. She collects a new sample and applies her equation.
This process is referred to as

A) discriminate testing
B) sample attenuation
C) cross-validation
D) regression reliability

Question 61

Paisley found no significant relationship in her study of number of friends and alcohol consumption in University women. Of the following which is likely a correlation she reported?

A) -.68
B) -.14
C) .52
D) 1.0

Question 62

Milton reported in his study that as chocolate consumption increased, reported stress remained constant. Of the following, which is a correlation coefficient that would best support Milton's claim?

A) -1.0
B) -.40
C) .05
D) .50

Question 63

Jamie found an internal consistency reliability coefficient of .60 for his measure of spatial ability. Jaime's instrument

A) shows high internal consistency reliability.
B) shows adequate internal consistency reliability.
C) shows minimally acceptable internal consistency reliability.
D) shows poor internal consistency reliability.

Question 64

Of the following research topics, which is most likely to represent a correlation study?

A) The mathematics activities found in a sixth grade math class.
B) The teaching philosophy of a new mathematics teacher.
C) The predictive ability of mathematics grades in later math class enrollment.
D) The differences in mathematics grades based upon parents' educational level.

Question 65

Of the following research topics, which is most likely to be a correlation study?

A) The relationship between hours of exercise and sleep.
B) The difference in minutes a day exercising between boys and girls.
C) The types of exercise students engage in after school.
D) The experiences of John at after school track practice.

Question 66

Which of the following represents the correlation that Shenna reported when she concluded that there was a moderate relationship between self-concept and parents' ratings of children's self-concept?

A) -.70
B) -.30
C) .00
D) .80

Question 67

The correlation that Raymond found in his study between child self-confidence and reported number of friends was r=.90.

A) Insignificant
B) Low
C) Moderate
D) Strong

Question 68

Nena reported a large effect for genetics in her study of early onset dementia. Of the following, which represents the correlation that she found?

A) -.70
B) -.40
C) .45
D) .80

Question 69

Yeung reported a correlation of .70 between hours of exercise and self-reported stress-level in graduate students. Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding this finding?

A) The two variables were unrelated in her study.
B) As hours of exercise increased, stress generally increased.
C) Her finding represents a moderate effect.
D) Her results represent significant differences.

Question 70

Maddie reported a significant correlation of r=.20 between years of teaching and salary satisfaction in her large survey study. How can Maddie's findings best be described?

A) Her finding is practically insignificant.
B) Her finding is moderately significant.
C) Her finding is a strong effect.
D) Her finding is strongly significant.