Sports scientists were interested in the effects of anxiety and experience on high board diving performance. All three variables are correlated with each other, but what correlation test could be run if you wanted to find out the degree of 'exclusive' variance anxiety had on diving performance without the interaction of the experience variable?
A) Partial correlation
B) Biserial correlation
C) Point-biserial correlation
D) Semi-partial correlation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Partial correlation measures the relationship between two variables while controlling for the effects of one or more other variables. In this case, we want to find the relationship between anxiety and diving performance while controlling for the effects of experience. Therefore, partial correlation is the correct test to use.

Sports Scientists Were Interested in the Effects of Anxiety and Experience