Correlations

Question 1

What does positive correlation look like?

Answer 1

The overall result will be increasing, as one variable increases the other increases.

Question 2

What does negative correlation look like?

Answer 2

The overall result will be decreasing, as one variable increases the other decreases.

Question 3

What does zero correlation look like?

Answer 3

The overall result is no result. The line will be straight, there is no connection between the variables.

Question 4

How are scatter diagrams presented?

Answer 4

The scatter diagram graphs pairs of numerical data, with one variable on each axis, to look for a relationship between them. If the variables are correlated, the points will fall along a line or curve. The better the correlation, the tighter the points will hug the line.

Question 5

Why do we use co-variables?

Answer 5

Unlike experiments which have an independent variable and a dependent variable, correlations are described in terms of covariables. This is because both variables in a correlation vary (change) and are measured, and neither one is set or controlled by the researcher.