Introduction
Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation is a measure of the strength and direction of association between two continuous variables. This guide will help you understand how to perform and interpret Pearson's correlation using SPSS, including assumptions, step-by-step procedures, and APA results interpretation.
When to Use Pearson's Correlation
Use Pearson's correlation when you want to determine if there is a linear relationship between two continuous variables. Pearson's correlation is preferred over Spearman's correlation or Kendall's tau when your data is normally distributed and the relationship between variables is linear. Ensure that your data meets the following assumptions:
- Both variables should be continuous (interval or ratio).
- There should be a linear relationship between the two variables.
- There should be no significant outliers.
- Both variables should be approximately normally distributed.
How to Perform Pearson's Correlation in SPSS
- Load your dataset into SPSS.
- Go to Analyze > Correlate > Bivariate.
- Select the variables you want to analyze and move them into the Variables box.
- Ensure the Pearson checkbox is selected.
- Click OK to run the analysis.
Example Dataset
We will use a hypothetical dataset where we have two continuous variables: Exam Score and Study Hours. Below is a snapshot of our data:
| Participant | Exam Score | Study Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85 | 10 |
| 2 | 78 | 8 |
| 3 | 92 | 12 |
| 4 | 88 | 11 |
| 5 | 76 | 7 |
SPSS Output and Results
After running the Pearson's correlation in SPSS, you will get the following output:
| Correlation | Exam Score | Study Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Score | 1 | .879** |
| Study Hours | .879** | 1 |
Note: ** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Results Interpretation
The correlation coefficient (r) between Exam Score and Study Hours is .879, which is significant at the 0.01 level (p < .01). This indicates a strong, positive linear relationship between the two variables. As study hours increase, exam scores tend to increase as well.
APA Results Reporting
In APA format, you would report the results as follows:
A Pearson's product-moment correlation was conducted to assess the relationship between study hours and exam scores. There was a strong, positive correlation between the two variables, r = .879, n = 5, p < .01. An increase in study hours was associated with an increase in exam scores.
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Conclusion
Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation is a valuable statistical tool for assessing the relationship between two continuous variables. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively perform and interpret Pearson's correlation in SPSS.