Question

Interpret these correlation coefficients:

•r = -0.84 between total mileage and car resale value

•r = 0.03 between anxiety level and college GPA

•r = 0.56 between age of schoolchildren and reading comprehension

Answer 1

(a)

r = - 0.84 between total mileage and car resale value

INTERPRETATION:

Since the correlation coefficient is negative, the two variables: (i) total mileage and (ii) car resale value are inversely related. i.e., as the total mileage increases, car resale value decreases.

As the value of r is near 1, the there is strong relationship between x and y.

(b)

r = 0.03 between anxiety level and college GPA

INTERPRETATION:

Since the correlation coefficient is positive, the two variables: (i) anxiety level and (ii) college GPA are directly related. i.e., as the anxiety level increases, college GPA increases.

As the value of r is near 0, the there is weak relationship between x and y.

(c)

r = 0.56 between age of school children and reading comprehension

INTERPRETATION:

Since the correlation coefficient is positive, the two variables: (i) age of school children and (ii) reading comprehension are directly related. i.e., as the age of school children increases, reading comprehension increases.

As the value of r is near 0.5, the there is neutral relationship (neither too strong nor too weak) between x and y.