The correlation between amount of caffeine consumed and nervous behavior was found to be .30. What conclusion can be drawn from this finding?
A) 30% of the of the variability in nervous behavior can be accounted for by variability in amount of caffeine consumed.
B) 9% of the of the variability in nervous behavior can be accounted for by variability in amount of caffeine consumed.
C) The correlation between nervous behavior and caffeine consumption is not significant
D) Consuming caffeine causes nervousness.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct conclusion is that 9% of the variability in nervous behavior can be accounted for by variability in amount of caffeine consumed. This is because the square of the correlation coefficient (0.30^2 = 0.09 or 9%) represents the proportion of the variance in one variable that is predictable from the variance in the other variable.

The Correlation Between Amount of Caffeine Consumed and Nervous Behavior