When the correlation in a sample is found to be significant, then it is assumed that
A) the mean of Y differs from the mean of X in the population
B) the mean of Y equals the mean of X in the population
C) the regression of Y on X cannot be determined
D) the correlation also exists in the population

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A significant correlation in a sample indicates that there is a strong relationship between the two variables being studied. This suggests that there is a higher likelihood that the relationship also exists in the population. Therefore, option D is the best choice. Option A is incorrect because the correlation only shows a relationship between the two variables, not the difference in their means. Option B is incorrect because the correlation does not indicate that the means of the two variables are equal. Option C is incorrect because a significant correlation suggests that there is a relationship between the variables that can be used to predict one from the other through regression.

When the Correlation in a Sample Is Found to Be