Deck 13: Correlation

Question 1

For which of these research situations would you most likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) independent variable = blood alcohol level; dependent variable = reaction time
B) independent variable = type of car owned; dependent variable = annual income
C) independent variable = gender; dependent variable = favorite type of music
D) independent variable = city of residence; dependent variable = political affiliation

Answer 1

independent variable = blood alcohol level; dependent variable = reaction time

Question 2

You calculate a correlation coefficient (rather than a t-test for F-ratio) when ______.

A) the independent variable is categorical
B) the independent variable consists of more than two levels/groups
C) the dependent variable is categorical
D) the independent variable is continuous

Answer 2

the independent variable is continuous

Question 3

For which of these research situations would you most likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) IV = political affiliation; DV = type of automobile owned
B) IV = favorite type of fast food; DV = weight
C) IV = number of children in family; DV = money spent on food per week
D) IV = annual income; DV = gender

Answer 3

IV = number of children in family; DV = money spent on food per week

Question 4

For which of these research situations would you MOST likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) independent variable = type of car owned; dependent variable = money spent on gasoline per week
B) independent variable = age; dependent variable = reaction time in milliseconds
C) independent variable = city of residence; dependent variable = miles driven per week
D) independent variable = college major; dependent variable = type of car owned

Question 5

Which of these is NOT one of the three aspects of the relationship between variables discussed in class?

A) direction
B) predictability
C) strength
D) nature

Question 6

You would calculate a correlation coefficient (rather than t-test or F-ratio) when the independent variable is ______ (for example, measured at the ______ level of measurement).

A) categorical; ratio
B) categorical; interval
C) continuous; nominal
D) continuous; interval

Question 7

Which of these is the MAIN reason for creating a scatterplot between two variables?

A) to determine whether the relationship is statistically significant
B) to determine whether you need to collect more data
C) to determine if the relationship is linear
D) to determine the strength (+/-) of the correlation

Question 8

You calculate the correlation coefficient between two variables when the ______ is ______.

A) independent variable; categorical
B) number of groups; greater than two
C) dependent variable; categorical
D) independent variable; continuous

Question 9

For which of these reasons would you create a scatterplot between two variables?

A) to see if the group means are the same
B) to see if the variables are categorical or continuous
C) to calculate the degrees of freedom
D) to get a sense of the strength of the relationship

Question 10

You calculate a correlation coefficient (rather than a t-test or F-ratio) when ______.

A) you are interested in comparing group means
B) the independent and dependent variables are both categorical
C) the independent and dependent variables are both continuous
D) the independent variable is categorical and the dependent variables is continuous

Question 11

For which of these research situations would you MOST likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) IV = self-esteem; DV = type of automobile owned
B) IV = number of friends; DV = hours a day spent on the Internet
C) IV = favorite type of movie; DV = favorite flavor of ice cream
D) IV = age at marriage; DV = current marital status (single, married, etc.)

Question 12

For which of these research situations would you most likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) independent variable = gender; dependent variable = salary
B) independent variable = number of cars owned; dependent variable = money spent on gasoline per week
C) independent variable = city of residence; dependent variable = miles driven per week
D) independent variable = political affiliation; dependent variable = college major

Question 13

For which of these reasons would you create a scatterplot between two variables?

A) to see if the relationship is positive or negative
B) to determine the level of significance
C) to get an initial sense of whether or not the means of the groups are different from each other
D) to determine if the relationship is bidirectional

Question 14

You calculate a correlation coefficient (rather than a t-test or F-ratio) when the independent variable is ______ and the dependent variable is ______.

A) categorical; categorical
B) categorical; continuous
C) continuous; categorical
D) continuous; continuous

Question 15

For which of these research situations would you MOST likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) IV = city of residence; DV = annual salary
B) IV = ethnicity; DV = political affiliation
C) IV = number of siblings; DV = age at marriage
D) IV = age; DV = type of car owned

Question 16

For which of these reasons would you create a scatterplot between two variables?

A) to determine whether the relationship is linear
B) to decide if the relationship is statistically significant
C) to prove your research hypotheses
D) to determine if the alternative hypothesis should be one-tailed or two-tailed

Question 17

For which of these research situations would you most likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) independent variable = college major; dependent variable = income
B) independent variable = astrological sign; dependent variable = personality
C) independent variable = age; dependent variable = number of TV sets owned
D) independent variable = area code; dependent variable = money spent on gasoline per week

Question 18

For which of these research situations would you MOST likely calculate a correlation coefficient?

A) independent variable = blood type; dependent variable = political affiliation
B) independent variable = height; dependent variable = salary
C) independent variable = ethnicity; dependent variable = favorite food
D) independent variable = gender; dependent variable = type of car owned

Question 19

You would calculate a correlation coefficient (rather than t-test or F-ratio) when the independent variable is ______ (measured at the ______ level of measurement).

A) categorical; ordinal
B) continuous; ratio
C) continuous; nominal
D) categorical; interval

Question 20

Which of these is NOT one of the three aspects or dimensions of the relationship between variables discussed in class?

A) strength
B) direction
C) causality
D) nature

Question 21

Goldilocks decides the porridge that is "just right" is neither too cold nor too hot. The relationship between porridge temperature and Goldilock's preferences may be described as ______.

A) nonlinear
B) zero
C) skewed
D) negative

Question 22

You believe the farther you sit from an instructor, the less likely he or she will call on you. This is an example of a ______ relationship.

A) negative
B) positive
C) skewed
D) nonlinear

Question 23

The ______ of a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) indicates the ______ of the relationship.

A) value; strength
B) value; direction
C) sign; strength
D) sign; nature (linear or nonlinear)

Question 24

A recent study found that the older the college student, the fewer the number of pages of assigned readings the student reads. The relationship between age of student and amount of reading may be described as ______.

A) curvilinear
B) positive
C) skewed
D) negative

Question 25

In examining the relationship between variables, the question "Should I portray the relationship between variables with a line or a curve?" pertains PRIMARILY to the ______ of the relationship.

A) direction
B) nature
C) strength
D) negativity

Question 26

You believe that the longer students take to complete their education, the less they enjoy their time in college. This is an example of a ______ relationship.

A) linear
B) nonlinear
C) positive
D) negative

Question 27

The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) assumes the relationship between two variables is ______.

A) linear
B) significant
C) normal
D) skewed

Question 28

You believe faculty members call on students sitting in the middle of their classes more often than students sitting either in the front of the class or the back of the class. This is an example of a ______ relationship.

A) positive
B) negative
C) linear
D) nonlinear

Question 29

You would look at the ______ of a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) to assess the ______ of the relationship between two variables.

A) sign (+/-); statistical significance
B) value; direction
C) value; strength
D) statistical significance; direction

Question 30

Which of these is NOT one of the three aspects of the relationship between variables discussed in Chapter 12?

A) reciprocity
B) direction
C) strength
D) nature

Question 31

The ______ of a Pearson correlation (r) assesses the ______ of the relationship between two variables

A) linearity; predictability
B) probability; direction
C) numeric value; strength
D) sign (+/-); strength

Question 32

The ______ of a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) assesses the ______ of the relationship between two variables

A) numeric value; direction
B) level of significance; causality
C) sign (+/-); direction
D) sign (+/-); linearity

Question 33

In calculating a Pearson correlation between two variables, you would examine the ______ to determine whether the relationship between the two variables is linear.

A) value of the correlation
B) level of significance of the correlation
C) scatterplot
D) descriptive statistics

Question 34

The ______ of a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) indicates the ______ of the relationship.

A) sign (+/-); statistical significance
B) value; direction
C) sign (+/-); direction
D) range; nature (linear or nonlinear)

Question 35

You believe students are less attentive in class when they either get too little or too much sleep as opposed to their average amount of sleep. This is an example of a ______ relationship.

A) positive
B) linear
C) negative
D) nonlinear

Question 36

In examining the relationship between variables, the question "How well can I predict one variable from another?" pertains primarily to the ______ of the relationship.

A) direction
B) nature
C) strength
D) variability

Question 37

The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) assumes the relationship between two variables ______.

A) is one-tailed (directional)
B) is statistically significant
C) goes on to infinity in both directions
D) may be represented by a straight line

Question 38

The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) measures the ______ relationship between two variables.

A) directional
B) positive
C) two-tailed
D) linear

Question 39

The Yerkes-Dodson law describes the relationship between one's level of arousal and task performance. According to this law, performance is better at a moderate level of arousal than at either a low or high level of arousal. This is an example of a ______ relationship.

A) positive
B) negative
C) linear
D) nonlinear

Question 40

Which of these is NOT one of the three aspects of the relationship between variables discussed in Chapter 12?

A) inferential
B) direction
C) strength
D) nature

Question 41

A recent study found that the more elementary students are involved in after-school activities, the less likely they are to get involved with gangs. Which of the following correlations reflects this relationship?

A) r = 1.00
B) r = .50
C) r = -.40
D) r = .00

Question 42

A survey of Psychology majors finds that the more "real world" experience students gained, the less likely they were to go to graduate school. Which of the following correlations reflects this relationship?

A) r = 1.00
B) r = .50
C) r = -.40
D) r = .00

Question 43

Which of these statistics best describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = .00
B) r = .40
C) r = -1.00
D) r = -.50

Question 44

A correlation of ______ is BEST represented by ______.

A) .00; an ellipse (football shape)
B) 1.00; an ellipse (football shape)
C) .00; a circle
D) 1.00; a circle

Question 45

A recent study found that the more money schools are given to provide after-school activities, the less likely their students are to get involved with illegal activities. Which of the following correlations reflects this relationship?

A) r = .75
B) r = .30
C) r = -.35
D) r = .00

Question 46

Which of these statistics BEST describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = .00
B) r = .50
C) r = -.50
D) r = 1.00

Question 47

Which of these statistics BEST describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = .00
B) r = .50
C) r = -.50
D) r = 1.00

Question 48

Which of these statistics BEST describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = 1.00
B) r = .40
C) r = -.40
D) r = .00

Question 49

An instructor finds that, in general, the more other instructors use Powerpoint presentations and web sites, the less often students attend class. Which of the following correlations reflects this relationship?

A) r = .50
B) r = -.50
C) r = 1.00
D) r = -1.00

Question 50

An instructor finds that, in general, the more time students spend on laptop computers during class, the less often students take notes. Which of the following correlations reflects this relationship?

A) r = .50
B) r = -.50
C) r = 1.00
D) r = -1.00

Question 51

Which of these statistics BEST describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = .50
B) r = -.50
C) r = -1.00
D) r = .00

Question 52

A Pearson correlation of ______ is BEST represented by ______.

A) .50; a line
B) 1.00; a circle
C) .00; a circle
D) -1.00; an ellipse (football shape)

Question 53

An instructor finds she is completely unable to predict student's performance in her class from her initial impression of them. Which of the following correlations BEST reflects the relationship between her impressions and their performance?

A) r = -1.00
B) r = .00
C) r = .40
D) r = -.50

Question 54

Which of these statistics best describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = 1.00
B) r = .65
C) r = -.40
D) r = .00

Question 55

A Pearson correlation of ______ is BEST represented by ______.

A) .50; an ellipse (football shape)
B) 1.00; a curve
C) .00; a line
D) -1.00; an ellipse (football shape)

Question 56

Which of these statistics BEST describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = -1.00
B) r = .10
C) r = .50
D) r = -.45

Question 57

An instructor finds the more often students ask for help in office hour visits, the greater the improvement in their performance across the semester. Which of the following correlations BEST reflects this relationship between asking for help and course performance?

A) r = -1.00
B) r = .05
C) r = -.50
D) r = .45

Question 58

Which of these statistics BEST describes the relationship in this scatterplot?

A) r = -1.00
B) r = .05
C) r = -.50
D) r = .45

Question 59

A correlation of ______ is BEST represented by ______.

A) .00; an ellipse (football-shape)
B) 1.00; a circle
C) .00; a line
D) 1.00; a line

Question 60

A researcher finds that the more hours students spend studying, the fewer mistakes they make on their assignments. Which of these statistics BEST describes this relationship?

A) r = 1.00
B) r = .50
C) r = -.50
D) r = .00

Question 61

Which of the following statements BEST illustrates the concept of covariance?

A) "The two sample mean are significantly different from each other."
B) "The decision was made to not reject the null hypothesis."
C) "People with above-average incomes own more TVs than the average consumer."
D) "There is no relationship between money and happiness."

Question 62

A researcher hypothesizes a positive relationship between drivers' use of cell phones and road rage incidents. How should the null hypothesis (H₀) be stated?

A) H₀: all μs are equal
B) H₀: ρ = 0
C) H₀: $\mu$ Cell phone = $\mu$ Road rage
D) H₀: $\mu$ = 0

Question 63

Gavin calculates a value of -.10 for a Pearson correlation. You would BEST describe this relationship as ______.

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

Question 64

In calculating the Pearson correlation (r), the ______ hypothesis implies ______.

A) null; the relationship is not linear
B) alternative; the two population means are not equal
C) null; the means are all equal to each other
D) alternative; there is a relationship

Question 65

A Pearson correlation of .00 is BEST represented by ______.

A) a normal curve
B) a skewed distribution
C) a circle
D) an ellipse (football shape)

Question 66

Which of the following statements best illustrates the concept of covariance?

A) "The means of the groups are not all equal to each other."
B) "People of above average intelligence vote more often than the average person."
C) "Not everyone is the same."
D) "The relationship is nonlinear."

Question 67

A researcher hypothesizes college grade point average is correlated with graduate school grade point average. In conducting an analysis to test this hypothesis, how should the null hypothesis (H₀) be stated?

A) H₀: all μs are equal
B) H₀: ρ = 0
C) H₀: college = grad school
D) H₀: not all μs are equal

Question 68

A researcher calculates a value of .15 for a Pearson correlation. You would BEST describe this relationship as ______.

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

Question 69

A researcher wishing to correlate two variables collects data from 40 people. In this analysis, the degrees of freedom is equal to ______.

A) 79
B) 78
C) 39
D) 38

Question 70

In testing the Pearson correlation (r), the ______ hypothesis states ______.

A) alternative; there is a relationship between two variables
B) alternative; two variables are uncorrelated with each other
C) null; the means are all equal to each other
D) null; two variables are correlated with each other

Question 71

Which of the following statements best illustrates the concept of covariance?

A) "The population means are not all equal to each other."
B) "Students who score below the class mean on the midterm also score below the mean on the final exam."
C) "Not everyone is the same."
D) "People who differ in intelligence also differ in their personalities."

Question 72

In calculating the Pearson correlation (r), the ______ hypothesis implies ______.

A) null; there is no relationship
B) alternative; the sample mean is different from the hypothesized population mean
C) null; the means are not all equal to each other
D) alternative; the relationship is not linear

Question 73

A researcher calculates a value of -.90 for a Pearson correlation. You would BEST describe this relationship as ______.

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

Question 74

Which of the following statements BEST illustrates the concept of covariance?

A) "People with above-average intelligence vote more often than the average voter."
B) "The decision was made to reject the null hypothesis."
C) "The sample mean is significantly different from the population mean."
D) "Men are smarter than women."

Question 75

Which of the following statements best illustrates the concept of covariance?

A) "The population means are not all equal to each other."
B) "There is no relationship between one's income and one's intelligence."
C) "The distribution is normal."
D) "People with below-average incomes spend more on the lottery than the average person."

Question 76

A researcher calculates a value of .85 for a Pearson correlation. You would BEST describe this relationship as ______.

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

Question 77

In calculating the Pearson correlation (r), the ______ hypothesis implies ______.

A) null; the hypothesized population mean
B) null; the two variables are unrelated to each other
C) alternative; the means are not all equal
D) alternative; there is no relationship

Question 78

Which of the following statements best illustrates the concept of covariance?

A) "Scores on the two variables are normally distributed."
B) "People with above average incomes also spend more than the average person."
C) "The variance of X is equal to the variance of Y."
D) "The null hypothesis was rejected."

Question 79

Which of the following statements best illustrates the concept of covariance?

A) "People with above-average intelligence spend more on books."
B) "The population means are all equal to each other."
C) "The results of the analysis support the research hypothesis."
D) "There is no relationship between race and IQ scores."

Question 80

A researcher wishing to correlate two variables collects data from 30 people. In this analysis, the degrees of freedom is equal to ______.

A) 28
B) 29
C) 68
D) 69