Assessing whether two variables vary together in a systematic way involves computing a mathematical index called a:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, indicating whether they vary together in a systematic way. A high correlation coefficient (positive or negative) suggests a strong relationship between the variables, while a low or zero correlation coefficient indicates a weak or non-existent relationship. Therefore, option A) is the best answer as it accurately describes the index used to assess the relationship between two variables. Option B) is incorrect as causal relationships cannot be established solely based on correlation coefficients. Options C) and D) are also incorrect as they do not measure the relationship between two variables, but rather describe the variability or difference within a single variable.

Assessing Whether Two Variables Vary Together in a Systematic Way