Correlation and linear regression analysis

This body of study allows us to investigate the relationship between 2 data sets
(bivariate data). The data sets were the heights of persons and their shoulder
spans. The heights of the persons is the (Y) variable for my experiment. The (Y)
variable, generically, is the dependent variable or responding variable. The (X)
variable in my experiment is the shoulder spans of the students. The (X) variable is,
generically the independent variable or controlled variable.
If no relationship exists between the two variables then the two data sets ae said to
be independent of each other.
To observe the strength of the relationship between (X) and (Y) we can first plot a
scatter diagram. A scatter diagram, also called a scatterplot or a scatter plot, is a
visualization of the relationship between two variables. A scatter diagram makes it
particularly easy to spot trends and correlations existing between the two variables.
Below are three scatter diagrams showing the results obtained from my study.

Scatter Diagram depicting the shoulder spans of girls against their heights
20.00
19.00
18.00
17.00
16.00
Shoulder span in inches 15.00
14.00
13.00
12.00
11.00
10.00
50.00

55.00

60.00

65.00

70.00

75.00

Height in inches

Graph 3: Scatter diagram showing a positive trend existing between the shoulder
span of the girls from the sample and their respective heights

Scatter Diagram depicting the shoulder spans of boys against their heights
19.00
18.50
18.00
17.50
17.00

Shoulder span in iinches

16.50
16.00
15.50
15.00
14.50
62.00

64.00

66.00

68.00

70.00

72.00

74.00

76.00

Heights in inches

Graph 4: Scatter diagram showing a positive trend existing between the shoulder
span of the boys from the sample and their respective heights

Scatter Diagram depicting the shoulder spans of all students against their heights
20.00
19.00
18.00
17.00

Shoulder span in inches 16.00

15.00
14.00
13.00
12.00
50.00

55.00

60.00

65.00

70.00

75.00

80.00

Height in inches

Graph 5: Scatter diagram showing a positive trend existing between the shoulder
span of all 60 students from the sample and their respective heights

Pearsons Product Moment Correlation Coefficient

To calculate the strength of the relationship between the two data sets we must
calculate Persons Product Moment Correlation Coefficient which is given as (r). The
values for (r) range from -1 to 1. When r is equal to -1 there is a perfect negative
relationship existing between the variables (x) and (y). When r is equal to 1, there is
a perfect positive relationship existing between the variables (x) and (y). Values of
(r) close to 0 represent weak correlation. If (r) is equal to 0 then there is no
relationship existing between the two variables, (x) and (y).

Scatter Diagram depicting the shoulder spans of boys against their heights
19.00
18.50
18.00
17.50
17.00

Shoulder span in iinches

16.50
16.00
15.50
15.00
14.50
62.00

64.00

66.00

68.00

70.00

Heights in inches

72.00

74.00

76.00

Scatter Diagram depicting the shoulder spans of all students against their heights
20.00
19.00
18.00
17.00

Shoulder span in inches 16.00

15.00
14.00
13.00
12.00
50.00

55.00

60.00

65.00

Height in inches

70.00

75.00

80.00

Scatter Diagram depicting the shoulder spans of girls against their heights
20.00
19.00
18.00
17.00
16.00
Shoulder span in inches 15.00
14.00
13.00
12.00
11.00
10.00
50.00

55.00

60.00

65.00

Height in inches

70.00

75.00