Practice Problems: Correlation and Linear Regression

Question 1:
Researchers interested in determining if there is a relationship between death anxiety and
religiosity conducted the following study. Subjects completed a death anxiety scale (high score
= high anxiety) and also completed a checklist designed to measure an individuals degree of
religiosity (belief in a particular religion, regular attendance at religious services, number of
times per week they regularly pray, etc.) (high score = greater religiosity . A data sample is
provided below:

Death Anxiety Religiosity

38
4
42
3
29
11
31
5
28
9
15
6
24
14
17
9
19
10
11
15
8
19
19
17
3
10
14
14
6
18
1. What is your computed answer?
r = -.696069034 or -.70
2. What does this statistic mean concerning the relationship between death anxiety and
religiosity?

There is a moderate to strong correlation between death anxiety and religiousity. Individuals
with high levels of religiosity have lower levels of death anxiety and vice versa. We can not
say that participation in religious activities causes lower levels of death anxiety as one can not
draw this sort of cause and effect conclusion based on a correlational study.

3. What percent of the variability is accounted for by the relation of these two variables?
r2 = .48

Regression

Question 2
It is assumed that achievement test scores should be correlated with stud
performance. One would expect that students who consistently perform w
classroom (tests, quizes, etc.) would also perform well on a standardized
hip between death anxiety and
(0 - 100 with 100 indicating high achievement). A teacher decides to exa
d a death anxiety scale (high score hypothesis. At the end of the academic year, she computes a correlation
measure an individuals degree of students achievement test scores (she purposefully did not look at this da
at religious services, number of
submitted students grades) and the overall g.p.a. for each student compu
ter religiosity . A data sample is
entire year. The data for her class are provided below.
Achievement
GPA
98
3.6
96
2.7
94
3.1
88
4
91
3.2
77
3
86
3.8
71
2.6
59
3
63
2.2
84
1.7
79
3.1
75
2.6
72
2.9
86
2.4
85
3.4
71
2.8
93
3.7
90
3.2
62
1.6
1. Compute the correlation coefficient.

r = .524127623 or .52

between death anxiety and

2. What does this statistic mean concerning the relationship between ach
performance and g.p.a.?

xiety and religiousity. Individuals

ety and vice versa. We can not
There is a moderate correlation between achievement test performance a
els of death anxiety as one can not achievement test scores go up, the g.p.a.s tend to increase as well and v
relational study.

ation of these two variables?

3. What percent of the variability is accounted for by the relationship bet

variables and what does this statistic mean?

r2 = .27 The percent a variability is relatively low. Only 27 percent of the

performance is related to the g.p.a (and vice versa). Seventy-three perce
variability is left unexplained.

4. What would be the slope and y-intercept for a regression line based on
The slope would be .028430629 and the y-intercept would be .62711903

5. If a student scored a 93 on the achievement test, what would be their

3.27 If they scored a 74? 2.73 A 88? 3.13

Question 3
ould be correlated with student's classroom With the growth of internet service providers, a researcher dec
who consistently perform well in the
there is a correlation between cost of internet service per mon
orm well on a standardized achievement test dollar) and degree of customer satisfaction (on a scale of 1 - 1
t). A teacher decides to examine this
satisfied and a 10 being extremely satisfied). The researcher o
she computes a correlation between the
comparable types of services. A sample of the data is provided
sefully did not look at this data until after she
p.a. for each student computed over the
d below.
Dollars Satisfaction
11
6
18
8
17
10
15
4
9
9
5
6
12
3
19
5
22
2
25
10
1. Compute the correlation coefficient.
r = .076445809 or .08

2. What does this statistic mean concerning the relationship be

spent per month on internet provider service and level of cust

There is pretty much no relationship between amount of mone

internet service provider and the degree of customer satisfact

r = .524127623 or .52

he relationship between achievement test

evement test performance and g.p.a. As the

nd to increase as well and vice versa.

d for by the relationship between the two

ow. Only 27 percent of the achievement test

versa). Seventy-three percent of the

r a regression line based on this data?

ercept would be .62711903.

3. What percent of the variability is accounted for by the relati

variables and what does this statistic mean?

r2 = .0058 Less than one percent of the variability is explained

relationship between the two variables.

t test, what would be their predicted G.P.A.?

Question 4
ce providers, a researcher decides to examine whether It is hypothesized that there are fluctuations in nore
st of internet service per month (rounded to the nearest accompany fluctuations in affect with bipolar affect
atisfaction (on a scale of 1 - 10 with a 1 being not at all illness). Thus, during depressive states, NE levels d
ly satisfied). The researcher only includes programs with increase. To test this relationship, researchers meas
sample of the data is provided below.
the metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (M
in the patient's urine experiencing varying levels of
levels of MHPG are correlated with increased metab
central nervous system NE. Levels of mania/depres
with a low score indicating increased mania and a h
The data is provided below.

MHPG
980
1209
1403
1950
1814
1280
1073
1066
880
776

concerning the relationship between amount of money

vider service and level of customer satisfaction?

hip between amount of money one spends for a

degree of customer satisfaction.

Affect
22
26
8
10
5
19
26
12
23
28

1. Compute the correlation coefficient.

2. What does this statistic mean concerning the rela

and affect?

is accounted for by the relationship between the two

istic mean?

There is a relatively strong negative correlation bet

found in the urine increases, the affect test score de
of the variability is explained. This highlights the lack of mania) and a lower level of MHPG is associated with
associated with depression). It is important to reme
iables.
the cause (affect -> biochemical changes or bioche
variable is involved.

3. What percent of the variability is accounted for b

variables?
r2 = .61

4. What would be the slope and y-intercept for a reg

The slope would be -.017062474 and the y-intercep

5. What would be the predicted affect score if the in

1100? of 950? of 700?

1100: 20.34
950: 22.9
700: 27.17

hat there are fluctuations in norepinephrine (NE) levels which

tions in affect with bipolar affective disorder (manic-depressive
ng depressive states, NE levels drop; during manic states, NE levels
is relationship, researchers measured the level of NE by measuring
ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG in micro gram per 24 hour)
ne experiencing varying levels of mania/depression. Increased
correlated with increased metabolism (thus higher levels) of
stem NE. Levels of mania/depression were also recorded on a scale
dicating increased mania and a high score increased depression.
d below.

relation coefficient.

r = -.779443711 or -.78

tatistic mean concerning the relationship between MHPG levels

y strong negative correlation between the two variables. As the level of MHPG
ncreases, the affect test score decreases (low score represents increased
level of MHPG is associated with higher affect test scores (higher scores
pression). It is important to remember that we do not know the direction of
> biochemical changes or biochemical changes -> affect) or whether another
.

the variability is accounted for by the relationship between the two

he slope and y-intercept for a regression line based on this data?

-.017062474 and the y-intercept would be 39.11036137.

he predicted affect score if the individual had an MHPG level of

00?