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How to Describe Associations With Correlation Coefficients

A correlation coefficient, often represented as 'r', is a mathematical measure of how closely associated two sets of data are. If you were to graph the two sets of data, the correlation coefficient would tell you how closely they follow a straight line. The correlation coefficient also shows whether the correlation is negative or positive, or on a graph, whether the points of data increase or decrease. If two data sets are correlated, then as one increases, the other increases as well, or as one decreases, the other also decreases.

2 sets of data
Correlation coefficient for the data sets
Pencil
Paper

Instructions

- 1
  Note the value of the correlation coefficient. It should be between 1 and -1. Write this value down.
- 2
  Determine whether the correlation coefficient is greater than 0 or less than 0. If it is greater than 0, there is a positive association between the two sets of data, meaning that as one set of data increases, the other does as well. If it is less than 0, there is a negative association, meaning that as one set of data decreases, the other does the same.
- 3
  Determine how close the correlation coefficient is to 1 or -1. If it is greater than 0.8 or less than -0.8, the association is very strong. If you plotted the data on a graph, it would look a lot like a straight line. If the correlation coefficient is around 0.5 or -0.5, it is somewhat associated. If the correlation coefficient is close to 0, the association between the data sets is not very strong.

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