Question

A student says that a correlation coefficient of −0.93 indicates that the two quantities of a data set have a weak correlation. Explain the error the student made.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Recall that correlation coefficients range from -1 to +1. So, -0.93 is a strong negative relationship. Two interpretations: 1) the correlation is actually very strong, and 2) the correlation is negative. When the correlation is negative, the dependent variable DECREASES when the independent variable INCREASES.