After analyzing her data, Professor Nelson discovers that a correlation coefficient of +.75 exists between the amount of coffee a person drinks and the degree of stress experienced. Professor Nelson can safely conclude that:
A) there is no relationship between stress and coffee consumption.
B) stress causes people to drink coffee.
C) as coffee consumption increases, stress also increases.
D) drinking coffee produces stress.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A correlation coefficient of +.75 indicates a positive correlation between the two variables, meaning that as one variable (coffee consumption) increases, so does the other variable (degree of stress). This does not mean that coffee causes stress or that stress causes people to drink coffee, but simply that there is a relationship between the two variables.

After Analyzing Her Data, Professor Nelson Discovers That a Correlation