Correlation

Correlation

-Correlation is a statistical device designed to measure

degree of association between two or more variables.

Example : Height and weight of children

Blood pressure and Age

- Correlation coefficient is generally denoted by r.

 Methods of Correlation

1. Graphic method or scatter diagram

2. Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient

 1. Graphic method or scatter diagram

Positive Linear Relationship Negative Linear Relationship

 1. Graphic method or scatter diagram
(continued)

Relationship NOT Linear No Relationship

 1. Graphic method or scatter diagram
(continued)

Merits

-Able to describes the relationship between two variables

Demerits
-Does not measure the degree of relationship between
variables
 Karl Pearson's Correlation Coefficient
Measures a degree of association between two variables
only to the extent to which it is linear.

Correlation Coefficient (r) lies between -1 and +1

r from 0.00 to ± 0.20, denotes no relationship

r from ± 0.20 to ± 0.40 denotes low correlation
r from ± 0.40 to ± 0.70 denotes moderate correlation
r from ± 0.70 to ± 1 denotes high correlation
r = -1 , perfect negative correlation
r =+1, perfect positive correlation
 Example : Correlation
The following is the SPSS output for the correlation
between Height(cm) and weight (Kg) of the patients .

Correlation
Weight
Height Pearson Correlation(r).900
Sig. (P) .000
N 15

a. Interpret the meaning of r.

b. Test the significance of r at 5% level of
significance.
 Example : Correlation
(continued)
Given
r= 0.9 P=0.000

n= 15 α =0.05

1.
r= 0.9 , There is high degree of positive correlation
between height (cm)and weight (kg).
2. Ho: ρ = 0 ( There is no correlation between height
and weight.)
H1: ρ ≠ 0 ( There is correlation between height and
weight.)

P = 0.000 , α =0.05

Here , P < 0.05 , reject H0.

Conclusion :
There is correlation between height and weight
 Practical Execerise on Correlation
The following is the SPSS output for the correlation
between Age (yrs) and Blood Pressure(mm/Hg) of the
patients .
Correlations
Blood pressure

Age Pearson Correlation(r) .64

Sig. (P) .01
N 12
a. Interpret the meaning of r.
b. Test the significance of r.