A Pearson correlation coefficient is appropriate to describe which of the situations below?
A) As X increases, Y decreases by the same amount.
B) As X increases, Y goes up at first slowly and then faster.
C) As X increases, Y goes up at first and then goes down.
D) All of the other alternatives are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Pearson correlation coefficient is appropriate for linear relationships, where as X increases, Y either increases or decreases by a consistent amount. This is described in option A. Options B and C describe non-linear relationships, which the Pearson correlation coefficient is not designed to measure accurately.

A Pearson Correlation Coefficient Is Appropriate to Describe Which of the Situations