Question 1

Of the following, which is most likely an example of a correlational study?
A) A study that shares the typical symptoms of repeated sports concussions in high school athletes.
B) A study that relates the pre- and post- concussion memory scores in a group of athletes.
C) A study that breaks down the number of sports concussions by sport played and number of years played.
D) A study that tests the effects of a concussion training program on number of concussions.

Accepted Answer

A correlational study examines the relationship between two variables without manipulating them. Option B is the only one that directly examines the relationship between pre- and post-concussion memory scores. Option A is more of a descriptive study, Option C is a breakdown of data, and Option D is an experimental study.

Question 2

The graph below most likely represents a correlation of
A) -.30
B) 0.0
C) .40
D) .60

Accepted Answer

The graph shows a negative slope, indicating an inverse relationship between the two variables. Additionally, the correlation appears to be moderately weak, as the points are fairly scattered and not tightly clustered. A correlation coefficient of -.30 would accurately represent this type and strength of relationship.

Question 3

Paul found an internal consistency reliability coefficient of .85 for his self-esteem measure. Paul's instrument
A) shows high internal consistency reliability.
B) indicates acceptable internal consistency reliability.
C) indicates minimally acceptable internal consistency reliability.
D) shows poor internal consistency reliability.

Accepted Answer

A reliability coefficient of .85 indicates high internal consistency reliability. This means that the items on the self-esteem measure are measuring the same construct consistently, and the measure is considered reliable.

Question 4

Which of the following demonstrates the strongest correlation coefficient?
A) 0.0
B)1.5
C) .65
D)-.72

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient ranges from -1 to 1, with -1 indicating a strong negative correlation and 1 indicating a strong positive correlation. A coefficient of 0 indicates no correlation. Therefore, the strongest correlation coefficient is the one that is farthest from zero, so the answer is D, which has a negative correlation coefficient of -.72.

Question 5

Of the following, which is most likely an example of a correlational study?
A) A study that indicated differences in GPA between ROTC and non ROTC students.
B) A study that examines organizational variables that predict retention of special education teachers.
C) A study that examines characteristics of exchange student host families.
D) A study that examines the effect of overt displays of teacher empathy on student class behavior.

Accepted Answer

A correlational study examines the relationship between two or more variables. In option B, the study examines organizational variables that predict teacher retention, which implies a relationship between these variables. None of the other options indicate a relationship between variables, making them less likely to be examples of correlational studies. Option A is a comparison study, option C is a descriptive study, and option D is an experimental study.

Question 6

According to your text, the fewest number of participants required for a correlation study is
A) 15.
B) 30.
C) 45.
D) 60.

Accepted Answer

The minimum number of participants required for a correlation study is typically 30. This ensures a sufficient sample size for statistical analysis and reduces the risk of sampling errors. Other factors such as the strength of the correlation and the variability of the data may also impact the required sample size.

Question 7

Which of the following represents the strongest correlation?
A) -.85
B) 0.0
C) .35
D) .65

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient of -.85 represents a strong negative correlation, meaning that as one variable increases, the other variable tends to decrease. The closer the coefficient is to -1, the stronger the correlation. B represents no correlation, as the coefficient is exactly 0. C represents a weak positive correlation, and D represents a moderate positive correlation, but neither is as strong as the negative correlation represented by A.

Question 8

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
-Suzanne reported a correlation between reading ability and math grades of r= .90 in the first grade. This correlation indicates that in Suzanne's study
A) reading ability is strongly related to math grades.
B) reading and math grades are independent.
C) reading ability and math grades are mutually exclusive.
D) reading ability and math grades are moderately related.

Accepted Answer

A correlation of r= .90 indicates a strong positive relationship between reading ability and math grades.

Question 9

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
-Kevin's analysis indicated that in his dataset SES was correlated r=.25 with absenteeism. This indicates that
A) as SES increases there is a corresponding increase in absenteeism..
B) SES is moderately correlated with absenteeism.
C) SES does not predict absenteeism.
D) absenteeism is strongly correlated with SES.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For each, consider the information the correlation...

Question 10

Given the graph below what is the most likely correlation between these variables?
A) -.60
B) .30
C) .80
D) 1.0

Accepted Answer

The graph likely shows a strong positive correlation, which is best represented by a correlation coefficient of .80.

Question 11

Given a correlation of r=.60, the common variance shared by the variables is
A) 16%.
B) 36%.
C) 60%.
D) 90%.

Accepted Answer

The common variance shared by the variables in a correlation is found by squaring the correlation coefficient (r^2). So, 0.60^2 = 0.36, which means 36% of the variance is shared.

Question 12

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
-Russell, a principal in a large urban district, finds a correlation of r=.72 between number of free periods in a student's schedule and number of discipline referrals for that student. This correlation indicates that at his school
A) free periods and discipline referrals are independent.
B) as the number of free periods decrease the likelihood of discipline referral decreases.
C) as the number of free periods decrease the likelihood of discipline referral increases
D) free periods and discipline referrals directly correspond to one another.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For each, consider the information the correlation...

Question 13

A strong negative correlation coefficient indicates that
A) two variables are not related.
B) two variables are inversely related.
C) there has been measurement error.
D) there has been calculation error

Accepted Answer

A strong negative correlation coefficient indicates that two variables are inversely related. This means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases.

Question 14

Correlation studies must include
A) two or more levels of independent variable.
B) two or more variables and one group.
C) three or more variables and two groups.
D) one independent variable and two dependent variables.

Accepted Answer

Correlation studies involve examining the relationship between two or more variables. Therefore, choice B, which involves two or more variables and one group, is the best option. Choices A, C, and D all involve specific requirements that are not necessarily applicable to correlation studies in general.

Question 15

Which of the following cannot be a correlation coefficient?
A) -.80
B) 0.0
C) .72
D) 2.1

Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient can only range from -1 to 1, inclusive. Therefore, 2.1 cannot be a correlation coefficient.

Question 16

Which of the following correlation coefficients best represents the plot below?
A) -.45
B) -.25
C) .15
D) .75

Accepted Answer

The plot likely shows a weak positive correlation, which is best represented by a correlation coefficient of .15.

Question 17

Given a correlation of r=.80, the common variance shared by the variables is approximately
A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 65%
D) 80%

Accepted Answer

The square of the correlation coefficient (r^2) gives us the percentage of variance shared by the variables.

So, r^2 = (.80)^2 = .64 = 64%.

Therefore, the common variance shared by the variables is approximately 64%, which is closest to choice C, 65%.

Question 18

Correlational studies are used primarily to
A) examine relationships among variables.
B) examine if differences between groups exist.
C) determine causal relationships.
D) determine if experimental treatments work.

Accepted Answer

Correlational studies are designed to investigate the relationships among variables, which means they assess whether and to what extent two or more variables are related. However, correlation does not imply causation, and this type of research cannot be used to determine causal relationships between variables or whether experimental treatments work.

Question 19

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
-Qi's analysis indicated that for those students who took calculus in high school and then introductory calculus in the first year of University, grades were correlated r=.45. This indicates that high school grades and university grades are
A) strongly related.
B) independent.
C) moderately related.
D) mutually exclusive.

Accepted Answer

The correlation coefficient of r=.45 indicates a moderate positive relationship between high school grades and university grades for those who took calculus in both settings.

Question 20

For each, consider the information the correlation provides.
-Joyce read a study that reported students' age was correlated r= -.68 with classroom management referrals. This correlation indicates as age increases,
A) classroom management referrals are about equally likely to decrease or increase.
B) classroom management referrals are more likely to decrease.
C) classroom management referrals are more likely to increase.
D) classroom management referrals are likely to remain at the same level.

Accepted Answer

A negative correlation coefficient (r = -.68) indicates that as one variable (age) increases, the other variable (classroom management referrals) is more likely to decrease.

Quiz 8: Correlational Research and Resources

Of the following, which is most likely an example of a correlational study?

The graph below most likely represents a correlation of

Paul found an internal consistency reliability coefficient of .85 for his self-esteem measure. Paul's instrument

Which of the following demonstrates the strongest correlation coefficient?

Of the following, which is most likely an example of a correlational study?

According to your text, the fewest number of participants required for a correlation study is

Which of the following represents the strongest correlation?

For each, consider the information the correlation provides. -Suzanne reported a correlation between reading ability and math grades of r= .90 in the first grade. This correlation indicates that in Suzanne's study

For each, consider the information the correlation provides. -Kevin's analysis indicated that in his dataset SES was correlated r=.25 with absenteeism. This indicates that

Given the graph below what is the most likely correlation between these variables?

Given a correlation of r=.60, the common variance shared by the variables is

For each, consider the information the correlation provides. -Russell, a principal in a large urban district, finds a correlation of r=.72 between number of free periods in a student's schedule and number of discipline referrals for that student. This correlation indicates that at his school

A strong negative correlation coefficient indicates that

Correlation studies must include

Which of the following cannot be a correlation coefficient?

Which of the following correlation coefficients best represents the plot below?

Given a correlation of r=.80, the common variance shared by the variables is approximately

Correlational studies are used primarily to

For each, consider the information the correlation provides. -Joyce read a study that reported students' age was correlated r= -.68 with classroom management referrals. This correlation indicates as age increases,