When a researcher finds a positive correlation, that means that
A) A decrease in the independent variable is associated with an increase in the dependent variable.
B) An increase in the independent variable is associated with an increase in the dependent variable
C) An increase in the independent variable is associated with a decrease in the dependent variable
D) An increase in the dependent variable is associated with a decrease in the independent variable

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases. Therefore, an increase in the independent variable is associated with an increase in the dependent variable. Option A is incorrect because a decrease in the independent variable would lead to a decrease in the dependent variable in this scenario. Option C is incorrect because it suggests an inverse relationship, which would be a negative correlation. Option D is also incorrect because it suggests that an increase in the dependent variable leads to a decrease in the independent variable, which is not necessarily the case in a positive correlation.

When a Researcher Finds a Positive Correlation, That Means That