Question

Behavioral analysts wish to study the use of reward charts, often used in schools and by parents, to encourage children’s good behavior. With these charts, children earn a sticker for each day of good behavior and, after obtaining a certain amount of stickers, receive a reward. For their analysis, the researchers found 100 children for whom reward charts are used. Data for each child include the number of stickers needed for a reward and the number of stickers that the child earns each week. These two variables have a very weak linear relationship (r = + .14). Why is it incorrect for the analysts to assume that no relationship exists between the variables? What type(s) of relationship should they investigate further? Why?

Answer 1