A researcher finds a correlation of −.51. Which pair of variables is the researcher MOST likely investigating?
A) depression and alcohol use
B) alcohol consumption and GPA
C) GPA and height
D) GPA and amount of studying

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A correlation of −.51 suggests a negative relationship between two variables, meaning as one variable increases, the other decreases. This pattern may be indicative of the relationship between depression and alcohol use, as individuals with higher levels of depression may be more likely to consume alcohol as a coping mechanism. The other options such as B, C, and D do not necessarily have a strong theoretical basis for a negative correlation.

A Researcher Finds a Correlation of −