SPSS: Correlation

1. Use SPSS to calculate the appropriate correlation coefficient for the following data for "Hours of Exercise" and "Life Satisfaction." (0 = Not at all satisfied). Provide an APA-style results section write - up. (b) Graph the relationship.
2. HINT: Below you will find instructions for the APA-style write-up.
3. Complete the write-up on a word document and upload the file for submission.

Hours of Exercise	Life Satisfaction
2	6
0	2
5	13
6	15
1	3
2	6
4	10
4	12
3	8
4	10

APA Template for reporting a Pearson's Correlation Coefficient

You will want to include four main points about your Pearson's r when communicating results to others.

1. Test type and use

You want to tell your reader what type of analysis you conducted. You also want to tell your reader why this particular analysis was used. What did your analysis test for?

Example

"A ____________________________ was computed to assess the relationship between (Variable 1) __________ and (Variable 2) __________."

1. Pearson's r value and (possibly) significance values

You want to tell your reader the value of Pearson's r so that they can understand the strength of the relationship between variables. You also might want to tell your reader whether or not there was a significant difference between condition means. Recall that some people believe you should report significance when you conduct a Pearson's r, but other people don't feel the same way. I am going to show you how to report significance so that we have all our bases covered.

"There was a correlation (positive/negative/no correlation) between the two variable [r = __________, n = __________, p = __________]."

1. Reference to your scatterplot

You might want to make reference to the scatterplot that you created. The way you'll most likely want to put your scatterplot, and all other graphs, in the Figures section of your APA-style paper. The problem is that no one will know they are in that section unless you make reference to them in the text. You can use the following template to reference your scatterplot.

"A scatterplot summarizes the results (Figure _____)."

In the blank in the above sentence, you will put the figure number. If your scatterplot is the only figure that you are referencing, you can use, "Figure 1." Otherwise, use the number that your scatterplot corresponds with.

1. Report your results in words that people can understand.

Try to imagine explaining your results to someone who is unfamiliar with science. In one sentence, explain your results in language that is easy to understand.

Example

"Overall, there was a strong, positive correlation between water consumption and skin elasticity. Increases in water consumption were correlated with increases in rating of skin elasticity."

1. Let's see how it looks all together

A Pearson's correlation coefficient was computed to assess the relationship between the amount of water that one consumed and rating of skin elasticity. There was a positive correlation between the two variables (r =0.98, n = 5, p = .002). A scatterplot summarizes the results (Figure 1). Overall, there was a strong, positive correlation between water consumption and skin elasticity. Increases in water consumption were correlated with increases in ratings of skin elasticity.