Question

Place the following correlation coefficients in order from strongest to weakest. -.34, +.72, -.91, +.91, +.50, -.83, 0

a. -.91, -.83, -.34, 0, +.50, +.72, +.91

b. -.91 and +.91, -.83, +.72, +.50, -.34, 0

c. 0, -.34, .-.83, -.91, +.50, +.72, +.91

d. this cannot be done since there is zero value

Answer 1

Given correlation coefficients are,

-0.34, +0.72, -0.91, +0.91, +0.50, -0.83, 0

Note: We say there is a strongest correlation between two variables if there is high coefficient [Either plus(+) or minus(-)]. That is as coefficient value increases in correlation from 0 to +/- 1 then strength of correlation is also increases from weakest to strongest.

Therefore order of strongest to weakest correlation as follows,

b) -.91 and +.91, -.83, +.72, +.50, -.34, 0

Note:

1) Here -.91 and +.91 have same coefficient (.91) therefore these are equally strong. Only difference in -.91 is negative correlation and +.91 is positive correlation.

2) .91 is same as 0.91

3) Zero(0) correlation means there is no correlation between two variables. Or

The weakest linear relationship is indicated by a correlation coefficient equal to 0