A researcher looks at two variables: the number of cats people own, and the number of dogs people own. She finds that the correlation coefficient is -.84. The best interpretation of this value is:
A) Few people with cats have dogs.
B) Few people with dogs have cats.
C) As the number of dogs people own goes up, the number of cats people tend to own goes down.
D) The relationship between cats and dogs is negative.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The negative correlation coefficient (-.84) indicates that as the number of dogs people own goes up, the number of cats people tend to own goes down. Option A and B are too specific and not necessarily true, and option D is too vague.

A Researcher Looks at Two Variables: the Number of Cats