Pearson's r

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Goal(s): Gauge the strength of the correlation, when evaluating a scatterplot, in terms of Pearson's r.

How: You will be shown two examples at a time, drawn from a collection of Pearson's r values and scatter plots. Select the weaker correlation. Make 30 quick decisions, with immediate feedback.

Site: P2L.io

About

The Pearson's r is a numerical measurement, communicating the strength of the relationship between two variables. The Pearson's r ranges in value from -1.00 to +1.00.

Strength of Correlation. When determining the strength of a correlation, ignore the sign (positive or negative). Rather, the weaker the correlation, the closer the Pearson's r value will be to zero. For a Pearson's r value of zero, there is no relationship between the two variables (e.g., number of letters in your name and your height). The stronger the correlation, the closer Pearson's r will be to either +1.00 or -1.00.

Scatterplots. The stronger the correlation, the closer the dots are to the best fitting line. The weaker the correlation, the more spread out the dots are, like a cloud of dots.

Perfect Correlation

The points in the scatter plot line up perfectly.

Shows a scatter plot with the points all falling along an imaginary line, going from the top left to the bottom right.

Perfect Negative Correlation. Pearson's r = -1.00

Shows a scatter plot with the points all falling along an imaginary line, going from the bottom left to the top right.

Perfect Positive Correlation. Pearson's r = +1.00

Strong Correlation

The points of the scatter plot line up fairly closely along an imaginary line.

A scatter plot with 100+ data points, showing a correlation of +.70. When looking at the points, it would be easy to image drawing a line through their midst. The points are somewhat scattered around an imaginary line going through their midst.

Strong Positive Correlation, Pearson's r = +.70

A scatter plot with 100+ data points, showing a correlation of -.96. When looking at the points, it would be easy to image drawing a line through their midst. The points would be fairly close around an imaginary line going through their midst.

Strong Negative Correlation, Pearson's r = -.96

Moderate Correlation

The points of the scatter plot can appear anywhere from a cloud of dots with a distinct tilt to a cloud of dots that appears somewhat compressed.

A scatter plot with 50+ data points, showing a correlation of +.36. When looking at the points, you could image drawing a line through their midst, but there would be a lot of dots spread out on either side of it. The points appear like a cloud of dots with a lean to the right (as if we squished inward from the top left and bottom right).

Moderate Positive Correlation, Pearson's r = +.36

A scatter plot with 100+ data points, showing a correlation of -.60. When looking at the points, you could image drawing a line through their midst, but there would be a lot of dots spread out on either side of it. The points appear like a cloud of dots with a lean to the left (as if we squished inward from the top right and bottom left).

Moderate Negative Correlation, Pearson's r = -.60

Weak Correlation

The points of the scatter plot can appear anywhere from a cloud of dots with a distinct tilt to a cloud of dots that appears somewhat compressed.

A scatter plot with 100+ data points, showing a correlation of +.18. When looking at the points, it would be hard to image drawing a line through their midst (but we still would). The points appear like a cloud of dots with a slight lean to the right (as if we slightly squished inward from the top left and bottom right).

Weak Positive Correlation, Pearson's r = +.18

A scatter plot with 100+ data points, showing a correlation of -.30. When looking at the points, it would be hard to image drawing a line through their midst (but we still would). The points appear like a cloud of dots with a slight lean to the left (as if we slightly squished inward from the bottom left and top right).

Weak Negative Correlation, Pearson's r = -.30

Zero Correlation

A zero correlation implies no relationship exists between the two variables. The scatter plot simply looks like a cloud of dots.

A cloud of random dots on the scatter plot.

Zero correlation, Pearson's r = 0.00

Game

Resource/Options

Optional: Earning Class Credit

To earn credit for this activity:

Click the 'Accommodations' button on the game menu.
Using the number pad (in the Accommodation dialog box), type the passcode provided by your instructor.
Click the 'Continue' button. Doing so will return you back to the game menu.
Then click 'Start' to begin the game.
When you complete the task with a score of 85% or greater, you will be given a completion code. To view this completion code, click on the 'Completion Code' button.
To get credit for having completed the activity, provide the completion code as your answer (e.g., to a quiz question). If the completion code is not yet available (e.g., performance was less than 85%), then click the 'Continue' button to re-do the activity.

Accommodations include:

Screen Reader (click the 'Screen Reader' button)
Unlimited decision time (e.g., Click the 'Accommodations' button, then type #17 by itself or at the end of a passcode. Click 'Continue').

Please notify your instructor if requesting these accommodations.

Instructors can modify games and set up quizzes rather easily. Check out game modifications.

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