Author Question: The calculated Pearson's r was .95 in a research study on number of hours parents spent at ... (Read 125 times)

james · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

The calculated Pearson's r was .95 in a research study on number of hours parents spent at children's sporting events and number of arrests those children had experienced by age 30. What does this Pearson's value signify?

(Select all that apply.)
a. No relationship
b. Weak linear relationship
c. Moderate linear relationship
d. Strong linear relationship
e. Positive relationship
f. Inverse relationship
g. Negative relationship

Question 2

Twelve research studies show a strong correlation between low levels of education and poverty. A social scientist declares that the cure for poverty is in free education for all of the children of the poor.

What are valid arguments against this declaration? (Select all that apply.)
a. The scientist believes that a low level of education, in and of itself, causes poverty, but no study has demonstrated this.
b. It is possible that low levels of education cause Item B, and Item B causes poverty.
c. It is possible that multigenerational poverty causes lower levels of education.
d. It is possible that low levels of education and poverty are both caused by social injustice.
e. Twelve correlational research studies are not enough to demonstrate cause: at least 50 studies of 100 subjects each would be required for this.

234sdffa · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D, F, G
Pearson's product-moment correlation is represented by the letter r, and the value of the r is always between 1.00 and +1.00. A value of zero indicates no relationship between the two variables. The further the value from zero, the stronger the relationship. The number indicates the strength of the relationship, and the sign connotes whether that relationship is positive or negative (inverse). Consequently, a relationship of .60 is exactly as strong as a relationship of .60, although one is a positive relationship and the other a negative, or inverse, one. Values greater than .50 or less than .50 indicate strong correlations.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, B, C, D
Correlational analysis provides two pieces of information about the data: the nature or direction of the linear relationship (positive or negative) between the two variables and the magnitude (or strength) of the linear relationship. A positive correlation is not an indication of causality, no matter how strong the statistical result.