OTHER MEASURES OF CORRELATION

1. Point Biserial Correlation ( rpb )

- Used in measuring the correlation between a real dichotomous variable and an
interval or ratio variable

For example a researcher is interested to determine whether male students are better in math
than female students. A comprehensive test in math was administered to a group of randomly
chosen male and female students. In this case, the real nominal dichotomous variable is gender
and the interval scale is the test scores. Suppose the data obtained are the following:

Let 0 denote a female student and 1 denote a male student

Table 1. Scores of 20 Students in a Comprehensive Math Test

Student Gender Score (y)

1 1 15
2 0 21
3 0 16
4 1 17
5 0 18
6 0 14
7 0 32
8 1 22
9 0 23
10 1 20
11 0 18
12 1 26
13 0 25
14 0 28
15 1 29
16 1 26
17 0 34
18 1 30
19 1 35
20 0 29
 Formula:

rpb = ӯ1 – ӯ2 n1 n0
sy n(n-1)

where
n1 is the number of male students
n0 is the number of female students
n = n 1 + n0
ӯ1 = mean score of the male students
ӯ0 = mean score of the female students
sy = is the standard deviation of all scores

From the above table, the following values are determined

n1 = 9
n0 = 11
n = 20
ӯ1 = 24.44
ӯ0 = 23.45
sy = 6.46

rpb = ӯ1 – ӯ2 n1 n0
sy n(n-1)

= 24.44 – 23.45 9(11)

6.46 20(19)

= (0.15) ( 0.510)

= 0.077 (Interpretation: Note that rpb = .077 is close to zero which means that
gender is not correlated with mathematical intelligence)

2. PHI COEFFICIENT ( Φ)
 - Used when measuring the correlation between two real nominal
dichotomous variables

Example:
Suppose a researcher wants to find out if a correlation exists between religious
affiliation and opinion towards Anti Terror Law . He asked the respondents whether they
are in favor of or against it. He grouped the respondents as Catholics and non-Catholics. The
result of the survey is shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Number of Catholics and Non Catholics who are Against and In favor of Anti Terror
Law.

X AGAINST FOR TOTAL

Catholic 10 6 16

Non 7 12 19
Catholic

Total 17 18 35

A total of 35 respondents took part in the study . Preliminary analysis of the data show
that more Catholics are against the law while more non Catholics are for it. Is there a
correlation between religious affiliation and opinion towards the Anti Terror Law?

Table 3 is an example of a 2X2 contingency table . Let A, B, C and D denote the frequencies in
each category, as shown below.

Table 3. 2 X 2 Contingency Table

 X AGAINST FOR TOTAL

1 A B A+B

0 C D C+D

Total A+C B+D n

Determine the degree of correlation by computing for the phi coefficient using the formula

Φ = 10(12) – (6)(7)
√(16)(19)(17)(18)

= 78/305
= .26

Interpretation:

The Φ= .26 ( read as the phi coefficient value ) shows a weak

correlation between religious affiliation and opinion towards the Anti Terror Law.

Exercises: Compute for the correlation coefficient by using the most appropriate
correlational technique.

1. The table below shows the ‘first time’ driving test results of a sample of 200
individuals classified by gender and success or failure in the examination.
Determine the degree of correlation between gender and success/failure in driving
test results.
 Table 1.1 Gender and success or failure in first time driving test results

GENDER SUCCESS FAILURE TOTAL 

Male 70 28 (98)
Female 50 52 (102)
 TOTAL (120) (80) (200)

2.

Table 2.1 Life Satisfaction Scores of 20 Individuals grouped by Age

Individual Age Group Score (y)

1 1 12
2 1 25
3 0 16
4 1 17
5 0 28
6 1 14
7 0 32
8 1 22
9 0 23
10 1 20
11 0 18
12 1 26
13 0 25
14 0 28
15 1 29
16 1 26
17 0 14
18 1 30
19 1 35
20 1 20

 1= denotes elderly , 0 = not elderly