Section 4 Interpreting Measures of Relationship 5 points Thi

Section 4: Interpreting Measures of Relationship (5 points)

This section of the assignment is designed to cultivate skills related to interpreting meaning from quantitative data. As part of a larger study, Speed and Gangestad (1997) collected ratings and nominations on a number of characteristics for 66 fraternity men from their fellow fraternity members. The following paragraph is taken from their results section:

. . . men\'s romantic popularity significantly correlated with several characteristics: best dressed (r = .48), most physically attractive (r = .47), most outgoing (r = .47), most self-confident (r = .44), best trendsetters (r =.38), funniest (r = .37), most satisfied (r = .32), and most independent (r =.28). Unexpectedly, however, men\'s potential for financial success did not significantly correlate with romantic popularity (r = .10). (p. 931)

Please address these questions:

1. Explain what is meant by correlation coefficient using one of the correlations above as an example. (2 points)

2. Provide your thoughts on the meaning of the pattern of results. (You could speculate on the meaning of the pattern of results, taking into account the issue of direct causality. You could also indicate what kinds of conclusions could NOT be drawn). (3 points)

Solution

The quantity r, called the linear correlation coefficient, measures the strength and
      the direction of a linear relationship between two variables. Like the correlation between men’s potential for financial success and romantic popularity is 0.10.