Suppose researchers find that greater alcohol consumption is associated with poorer performance on a skills test. Which of the following fictitious correlation coefficients could possibly represent that correlation?

These are the options for the question:

A. - 4.57

B. -.47

C. +.91

D. + 0.00

The correct answer is:

B. -.47

Explanation:

The Pearson Correlation Coefficient measures the linear correlation between two variables. The value of the coefficient goes form + 1, which indicates a perfect positive correlation, to 0, which indicates neutrality or no correlation, to - 1, which indiciates a perfect negative correlation.

The question is telling us that the more alcohol a person consumes, the poorer his performance on the test. That means that if one variable goes up (alcohol consumption), the other goes down (performance on the test), therefore, we see a negative correlation. We do not know how strong the negative correlation is, but we know for sure that it is negative.

And the only value among the options for the question that is valid is B) -.47.

While - 4.57 is also a negative value, this option is incorrect because the correlation coefficient cannot be less than - 1.