Correlations

If a study finds that as students spend more hours studying, their exam scores also tend to increase, what type of correlation is being described?

• Positive correlation

• Negative correlation

• Zero correlation

A researcher discovers that as the temperature outside drops, the sales of hot cocoa increase. This is an example of:

• Positive correlation

• Negative correlation

• Zero correlation

Which of these pairs would most likely show a zero correlation?

• Amount of rain & number of umbrellas sold

• Hours of exercise & physical fitness level

• Shoe size & IQ

• Speed of a car & time taken to reach a destination

In a 'negative correlation,' how do the variables behave?

• One variable changes while the other remains a constant zero

• Both variables increase together

• Both variables stay the same

• One variable increases while the other decreases

A study shows that as the number of absences from school increases, a student's GPA tends to decrease. This is a:

• Positive correlation

• Negative correlation

• Zero correlation

What is the primary limitation of correlational research?

• It cannot be used on humans

• It cannot prove that one variable causes another

• It only works with very small groups of people

• It is too expensive to conduct

A researcher finds that people who own more books tend to have higher reading comprehension scores. This is a:

• Positive correlation

• Negative correlation

• Zero correlation

Which of the following describes a 'positive correlation'?

• As a person's years of education increase, their average yearly income also increases

• As the number of heaters sold increases, the outside temperature decreases

• The color of a person's eyes has no impact on their favorite type of music

• A football team that commits a lot of penalties does not have many team wins

A researcher notices that on days when more ice cream is sold, there are also more reports of sunburns. What is the most likely 'third variable' explaining this link?

• The price of ice cream

• Hot, sunny weather

• Eating ice cream causes skin to become sensitive to the sun

• Sunburns make people crave cold dairy products

In a scientific study, a 'variable' is something that can change or be measured. Which of the following would not be a good example of a variable in a study about student life?

• A student's score on a final math exam

• The fact that all students in the study are in 10th grade

• The number of hours a student sleeps each night

• The amount of caffeine a student drinks in a day