A science instructor assigns a group of students to investigate the relationship between the pH of the water of a river and its water's hardness (measured in grains).Some students wrote these conclusions: "there was a very strong correlation of 1.35 between pH of the water and water's hardness." Is the calculation of the correlation appropriate?
A)Yes: correlation can be greater than 1.
B)Yes: the pH and the hardness of the water are data collected from the same river.
C)No: there is little or no association.
D)No: correlation cannot be greater than 1.
E)No: correlation must be equal to 1.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to 1, so it cannot be greater than 1. A correlation coefficient of 1 would indicate a perfect positive correlation, which is unlikely to occur between pH and water hardness. Therefore, the calculation of the correlation coefficient in this conclusion is incorrect.

A Science Instructor Assigns a Group of Students to Investigate