In which of the following situations would a correlation coefficient be highly misleading?
A) The variables do not covary.
B) The causal connection between the variables is unknown.
C) The variables are associated in a nonlinear pattern.
D) There is a perfect, but negative, correlation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient measures the strength of a linear relationship between two variables. If the variables are associated in a nonlinear pattern, the correlation coefficient may be misleading because it would not accurately reflect the nature of the relationship. In other words, the correlation coefficient would suggest that there is little or no relationship between the variables, when in fact there may be a strong relationship that is just not linear.

In Which of the Following Situations Would a Correlation Coefficient