Which of the following is true about the Pearson correlation coefficient and the Spearman rank-ordered correlation coefficient?
A) Both tests make the same assumptions.
B) Both tests deal with ordinal data.
C) Both tests can produce a negative coefficient.
D) None of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Pearson correlation coefficient and the Spearman rank-ordered correlation coefficient are both measures of the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. However, they differ in their assumptions and the type of data they deal with.

The Pearson correlation coefficient assumes that the data is normally distributed and measures the linear relationship between two continuous variables. On the other hand, the Spearman rank-ordered correlation coefficient does not assume a normal distribution and measures the monotonic relationship between two variables, which means that it is suitable for ordinal data.

Both tests can produce a negative coefficient, indicating a negative relationship between the two variables. Therefore, the correct choice is C.

Which of the Following Is True About the Pearson Correlation