Correlation Worksheet Correlational studies show relationships between variables. If high scores on one variable predict high scores on the other variable, the correlation is positive. If high scores on one variable predict low scores on the other variable, the correlation is negative. variable 1 variable 2 Positive Correlation variable 1 variable 2 Negative Correlation Showing that two variables are related does not justify claiming that a causal relationship exists. There may be a causal relationship, but other explanations usually exist. For example, the variables may be related because both have a causal relationship with a third variable. causes causes causes A B B A A C B For each of the correlational studies described below, decide whether the correlation is positive or negative and give two alternative explanations for each finding. 1. A study of married couples showed that the longer they had been married, the more similar their opinions on social and political issues were. Positive or negative? Explanation 1: Explanation 2: Explanation 3: 2. An intelligence test was given to all the children in an orphanage. The results showed that the longer children had lived in the orphanage, the lower their IQ scores. Positive or negative? Explanation 1: Explanation 2: Explanation 3: 3. In a study of American cities, a relationship was found between the number of violent crimes and the number of stores selling violence-depicting pornography. Positive or negative? Positive or negative? Explanation 1: Explanation 2: Explanation 3: 4. A college professor found that the more class absences students have, the lower their grade in the course tends to be. Positive or negative? Explanation 1: Explanation 2: Explanation 3:
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Asma V.
A researcher finds a positive correlation between the number of siblings a person has and the number of children they choose to have. They write in their paper, ""Our data suggests that growing up with more siblings causes individuals to have more children of their own later in life."" What is wrong with this statement?" a positive correlation would mean that having more siblings causes individuals to have FEWER children later in life the researcher cannot conclude based on the correlation that one variable caused a change in the other it was incorrect for the researcher to use a correlation to analyze these variables there is nothing wrong with this statement If we have a correlation close to 0, our best guess for someone's score on our Y variable will be the mean of Y." True or False How can you think of the intercept of the regression line? the point that indicates the mean of the Y variable the predicted score on Y for someone who scores at the mean of X the predicted score on Y for someone who scores 0 on X none of the above What is the point of using regression instead of just looking at correlations? regression allows us to analyze the unique contribution of multiple predictor variables regression allows us to analyze multiple dependent variables regression allows us to make causal claims about the relationship between our variables there is no point
Ariana N.
Determine whether each situation illustrates a correlation, but not causation or causation. Explain your reasoning. 2. A class experiment shows a negative correlation between the width of a person's palm and the amount of time they spend watching television each day. 3. The larger a person's shoe size, the higher a person's reading level. 4. At a grocery store, there is a negative correlation between the price of cereal and the number of boxes of cereal sold. 5. Hae notices that the lower the daily temperature is, the less time she spends outside. A study compared the average monthly amount spent on swimsuits with the average monthly amount spent on air conditioning for several months in Sunnyside. The data is shown in the scatter plot. Use this information for Exercises 6 and 7. 6. ANALYZE Explain what the scatter plot shows and describe any correlation. 7. WRITE Explain whether this statement is accurate. "There is a strong positive correlation between spending money on swimsuits and spending money on air conditioning. Therefore, to cut down the amount of electricity used in Sunnyside, people should buy fewer swimsuits." 8. CONSTRUCT ARGUMENTS What is meant by this statement: Correlation does not imply causation? Justify your argument. 9. WRITE Does an accurate line of fit always predict what will happen in the future? Explain your reasoning.
Sri K.
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