Exploring Explanatory and Response Variables in Correlation

What type of plot is used to describe one variable?

• Scatter plot

• Pie chart

• Time plot

• Histogram

In a scatter plot, where is the explanatory variable typically plotted?

• On the y-axis

• On the x-axis

• In the legend

• In the title

What is another term for the explanatory variable?

• Control variable

• Dependent variable

• Response variable

• Independent variable

When comparing two unrelated variables, what is true about their placement on a graph?

• They must be plotted on the x-axis

• They should not be plotted together

• They must be plotted on the y-axis

• It doesn't matter where they are plotted

What does the correlation coefficient (R) indicate?

• The total number of data points

• The difference between the highest and lowest values

• The direction and strength of a linear relationship

• The average value of the data

If the correlation coefficient (R) is equal to 1, what does this indicate?

• Weak correlation

• No correlation

• Perfect positive correlation

• Perfect negative correlation

What does a correlation coefficient (R) of 0 indicate?

• Perfect positive correlation

• No correlation

• Strong correlation

• Perfect negative correlation

What is the first step in calculating correlation?

• Subtracting each x value from the mean of x

• Adding up all the products

• Multiplying each term together

• Calculating the means for the x and y values

Why is it important not to rely solely on visual interpretation of scatter plots?

• Because scatter plots are difficult to read

• Because scatter plots do not show correlation

• Because different scales can make the same data look different

• Because scatter plots are always inaccurate

What is the final step in calculating correlation?

• Multiplying each term together

• Plugging in the standard deviations and simplifying

• Subtracting each y value from the mean of y

• Adding up all the products