Correlations

• What is the focus of correlation analysis?

  Analysis of the relationship between co-variables
• What are the strengths of correlation analysis?

  • Precise and quantifiable measure of relationships
  • Starting point for assessing patterns
  • Time-effective and cost-effective
• What is a limitation of correlation analysis?

  It cannot display cause and effect
• What is unknown in correlation analysis regarding co-variables?

  Which co-variable is causing the other to change
• What might affect the relationship between co-variables?

  An intervening variable
• What are co-variables?

  Variables investigated within a correlation
• How are co-variables classified in correlation analysis?

  Not as independent or dependent variables
• What type of variables must co-variables be?

  Continuous variables
• What is a positive correlation?

  As one co-variable increases, so does the other
• Should a line of best fit be drawn in positive correlation?

  No, never draw a line of best fit
• What is a negative correlation?

  As one co-variable increases, the other decreases
• Should a line of best fit be drawn in negative correlation?

  No, never draw a line of best fit
• What does zero correlation indicate?

  No relationship between variables
• How is the correlation coefficient represented?

  Using r
• What is the range of the correlation coefficient?

  From -1 to 1
• What does -1 represent in correlation?

  Perfectly negative correlation
• What does 0 represent in correlation?

  No correlation
• What does 1 represent in correlation?

  Perfectly positive correlation
• Can correlation imply causation?

  No, correlation cannot imply causation
• What should we not assume about strong associations between co-variables?

  That one causes the other