Learning Objectives

  • Identify the direction and strength of a correlation between two factors.
  • Compute and interpret the Pearson correlation coefficient and test for significance.
  • Compute and interpret the coefficient of determination.
  • Define homoscedasticity, linearity, and normality and explain why each assumption is necessary to appropriately interpret a significant correlation coefficient.
  • Explain how causality, outliers, and restriction of range can limit the interpretation of a significant correlation coefficient.
  • Compute and interpret the Spearman correlation coefficient and test for significance.
  • Compute and interpret the point-biserial correlation coefficient and test for significance.
  • Compute and interpret the phi correlation coefficient and test for significance.
  • Convert the value of r to a t statistic and c2 statistic.
  • Summarize the results of a correlation coefficient in APA format.
  • Compute the Pearson, Spearman, point-biserial, and phi correlation coefficient using SPSS.