sw318 social work statistics slide 1 correlation question 1 this question asks you to use the...

SW318 Social Work

Statistics Slide 1 Correlation Question 1

This question asks you to use the Pearson correlation coefficient to measure the association between [educ4] and [empstat].

However, recall that the Pearson correlation coefficient requires that both the independent and the dependent variable be interval level or dichotomous, or treated as interval level by convention (It is a common convention to treat scaled variables as interval, rather than ordinal. ). Since the variable "education" [educ4] was ordinal and the variable "employment status" [empstat] was nominal, it is an incorrect application of a statistic.

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This question asks two things: Whether the correlation coefficient is correct?; and, if yes, whether the interpretation of the relationship is correct?

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Statistics Slide 3 Correlation in SPSS (1)

In SPSS, you can obtain a correlation coefficient between two variables by clicking:

Analyze > Correlate > Bivariate…

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Statistics Slide 4 Correlation in SPSS (2)

First, select and move the two variables of interest, [age] and [nperinhh], into the “Variables:” box. Then, make sure the “Pearson” in the “Correlation Coefficients” section was selected and click OK.

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Statistics Slide 5 Correlation Output in SPSS

You can find the correlation coefficient for the two variables in the cell defined by “Respondent’s age” [age] and “Nbr of people in HH” [nperinhh]. The correct correlation coefficient is -.121. Using the interpretive guide for measures of association (0.0 = no relationship, +/-0.0 to +/-0.2 = very weak, +/-0.2 to +/-0.4 = weak, +/-0.4 to +/-0.6 = moderate, +/-0.6 to +/-0.8 = strong, +/-0.8 to +/-1.0 = very strong, +/-1.0 = perfect relationship), a correlation coefficient of -0.121 would be interpreted as a very weak relationship.

Since the sign of r is a minus sign, it is a very weak, negative relationship. The answer to the question is true.

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The question about direction and strength of the relationship can also be stated without including the numeric value.

This question asks about the direction of the relationship: it states that as the age variable increases in value, the number of persons in the household decreases. The first part of this question will be true if Pearson’s r has a negative value.

The second part of the question will be true if the correct adjective has been selected for the value of Pearson’s r.

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In the output for the previous question, we found that the value for r was -.121, so the statement that there is a negative relationship (as scores on one variable increase, scores on the other variable decrease).

In addition, the r of -.121 fit in the category described as very weak, so the statement about the strength of the relationship is also true.

The answer to the question is true.

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We can use the output for correlations to answer a question about the Proportional Reduction in Error interpretation for this relationship.

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Recall that the measure of association is related with the PRE (Proportional Reduction of Error) and correlation is a kind of the measure of association. However, in order to interpret the correlation coefficient as a measure of PRE, you have to square the correlation coefficient first. In other words, the PRE between these variables is r2. (i.e., -.1212=.015)

Thus, we can say that information about survey respondents scores on "age" improves our predictions of their "number of people in the household" by 1.5%. The answer to the question is true.

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The word problem about the direction of the relationship is a little more complicated when one or both of the variables are ordinal level because we have to take into account the coding of the variable in the value labels.

The Pearson r correlation coefficient measures the pattern for the numeric values. We need to incorporate the value labels into the interpretation.

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The computed value of the correlation coefficient with "education" [educ4] as the independent variable and "agreement that respondent has something valuable to give to the world" [valatt07] as the dependent variable was 0.169.

The plus sign for the correlation coefficient means that higher numeric values for "education" [educ4] are associated with higher numeric values for "agreement that respondent has something valuable to give to the world" [valatt07].

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If we look at the value labels for education, we see that higher numeric values are associated with having completed more years of school.

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If we look at the value labels for having something to give to the world [valatt07], we see that higher numeric values are associated with agreement with the statement.

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The statement of the relationship: “survey respondents who had completed more years of school agreed that they had something valuable to give to the world” is correct.

However, the statement that the relationship is weak is incorrect, since a correlation coefficient of .169 would be characterized as very weak. The answer to the question is false.

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Statistics Slide 15 Regression Question 1

This question asks about interpretation of the regression equation between [educ4] and [nperinhh]. First we check the level of measurement of each variables. Since both independent and dependent variables are either interval level or ordinal level but can be treated as interval by convention, using regression equation is legitimate. Let’s take a look at how to get regression equation in SPSS in the following.

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Statistics Slide 16 Regression in SPSS (1)

In order to get a regression equation between two or more variables in SPSS, click:

Analyze > Regression > Linear…

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Statistics Slide 17 Regression in SPSS (2)

Recalling that the [nperinhh] was “predicted” by [educ4] in the practice problem, [nperinhh] is determined to be the dependent variable and [educ4] the independent variable. Click “OK” to get the output.

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Statistics Slide 18 Regression Output in SPSS

In the SPSS output, we have to look at the last table labeled as “Coefficients” to create the regression equation between the dependent and independent variables.The intercept is found in the column titled 'Unstandardized Coefficients - B,' in the row titled '(Constant),’ which equals 3.623 and the slope is in the row titled 'EDUC4 Education’ of the same column, which equals -0.322. Thus the regression equation can be written as:

[nperinhh]=3.623-0.322*[educ4]

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In the regression equation, [nperinhh]=3.623-0.322*[educ4],

the intercept in the equation can be interpreted as following:

“If the value for "education" were zero, the predicted value for "number of people in the household" would be 3.623.”

The intercept is correctly interpreted in the question.

However, this interpretation should be done with caution because the independent variable in this analysis, "education", is an ordinal level variable. It is a common convention to treat scaled variables as interval, rather than ordinal. We will follow this convention and permit the use of scaled, ordinal variables in a statistical analysis expecting interval level data. This will not be treated as an incorrect application of a statistic, but rather we will add a caution to any true findings, since not all data analysts agree with the convention.

The answer is true with caution.

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Statistics Slide 20 Regression question 2

This question is also based on the regression equation, but instead of asking about the intercept, it is asking about the slope. We use the same SPSS output used for the last question.

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In the regression equation, [nperinhh]=3.623-0.322*[educ4],

the slope in the equation can be interpreted as following:

“If the value of "education" increased by 1, the predicted value of "number of people in the household" would change by -.322.”

The interpretation of the slope in the question is correct.

However, this interpretation should be done with caution because the independent variable in this analysis, "education", is an ordinal level variable. It is a common convention to treat scaled variables as interval, rather than ordinal. We will follow this convention and permit the use of scaled, ordinal variables in a statistical analysis expecting interval level data. This will not be treated as an incorrect application of a statistic, but rather we will add a caution to any true findings, since not all data analysts agree with the convention.

The answer to the question is true with caution.

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Statistics Slide 22

Correlation question 1

Question: value, strength, and direction of Pearson’s r correlation coefficient?

Yes

Both independent and dependent variable interval or ordinal level?

Yes

No

Value of Pearson’s r stated correctly, strength described by correct adjective, and direction stated correctly?

No

Independent or dependent variable ordinal level?

Yes

NoTrue

False

Inappropriate application of a statistic

True with caution

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Statistics Slide 23


Question: description of direction and strength of Pearson’s r correlation coefficient?

Yes


Yes

No

Description of direction accurate for numeric value and strength described by correct adjective?

No


Yes

NoTrue

False


True with caution

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Statistics Slide 24


Question: PRE interpretation of improvement in predictive accuracy?

Yes


Yes

No

Numeric percentage for reduction in error is correct value for coefficient of determination, r2?

No


Yes

NoTrue

False


True with caution

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Statistics Slide 25

Regression equation question 1

Question: predicted value of dependent variable when independent variable is zero?

Yes


Yes

No

Predicted value of dependent variable matches the intercept in the regression equation?

No


Yes

NoTrue

False


True with caution

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Statistics Slide 26

Regression equation question 2

Question: change in predicted value of dependent variable when independent variable increases by one?

Yes


Yes

No

Predicted change in dependent variable matches the slope in the regression equation?

No


Yes

NoTrue

False


True with caution

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Statistics Slide 27

Visualization of Correlation Coefficient Correlation r=.95

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Statistics Slide 28 Correlation r=.80

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sw318 social work statistics slide 1 correlation question 1 this question asks you to use the...

Documents

correlation question

correlation output

previous question

weak relationship

negative relationship

correlate bivariate

perfect relationship

age variable