Spearmans Rank Correlation Coefficient What can this test tell you? Whether there is a statistically significant correlation between two measurements from the same sample when you have 5-30 pairs of data. If the correlation is negative or positive
Jasmine
71
59
rs = 1
[N
6 xD2
3
] N)
N = the number of individuals in the sample D = difference in the rank of the two measurements made on an individual
rs will be a number between 1 and +1 This number can be compared with those in a table of critical values
H0 = there is no statistically significant correlation between Maths scores and Biology scores HA = there is a statistically significant correlation between Maths scores and Biology scores
If the value for rs exceeds the critical value, then you can reject the null hypothesis A negative value for rs implies a negative correlation A positive value for rs implies a positive correlation
Alex Bernard Charlotte Demi Eustace Ferdinand Gemma Hector Ivor Jasmine
4
6
5
4
Where two or more scores are tied each is assigned an average rank
-4
0 5 - 0.5 -1 - 3.5 3 0 -1 2
Demi
Eustace Ferdinand Gemma Hector
78
53 63 86 98
8
2 5 9 10
85
56 85 77 87
8.5
3 8.5 6 10
Ivor
Jasmine
59
71
4
6
70
59
5
4
rs = 1
[N
6 xD2
3
Where:
] N)
N = 10 D2 = 68.5
6 x 68.5) =11000 - 10
= 1 0.415 = 0.585
Step 6: Compare your calculated value of rs with the relevant critical value in your stats table
Our value of rs is 0.585 For N = 10 and P = 0.05, the critical value of rs is 0.65 Because this is below the critical value, we must accept H0 There is no statistically significant correlation between Maths scores and Biology scores
10
12 14
0.65
0.59 0.54
Do peoples stress levels increase the closer they live to Mad Geoffs Chaotic Firework Factory?
Acacia Ave.
Cortisol is a stress hormone The more stressed an individual is, the higher their blood cortisol levels will be
Address 2 (Factory) 8 10
Blood cortisol level (g/ml) 13.4 22.6 23.4 18.6 17.4 16.8 15.2 10.2 9.8 12.6 8.8 7.5
12
12 14 16 16 18 18 18 20
Quentin
Rajesh Susan Toni Uri
Vanessa
H0 = there is no significantly significant correlation between proximity to the fireworks factory and blood cortisol levels
Resident
Address
Address rank
Cortisol rank
D2
2 8 10 12
6 11 12 10 9 8 7
Olga
Peter Quentin Rajesh
12
14 16 16
17.4
16.8 15.2 10.2
4
3 5 2
Susan
Toni Uri Vanessa
18
18 18 20
9.8
12.6 8.8 7.5
10
10 12
5
8 11
25
64 121
D2
513
Where:
rs = 1 -
6D2
N = 12 D2 = 513
N3 N)
6(513) =11728 - 12
= 1 1.794 = - 0.794
When comparing rs to the critical value ignore the sign on rs For N = 12 and P = 0.05, the critical value of rs is 0.587
Our value of rs is 0.794 Because this is above the critical value, we can reject H0
There is a statistically significant correlation between proximity to the fireworks factory and blood cortisol levels rs is negative so there is a negative correlation... Therefore: the further one lives from the firework factory, the lower ones blood cortisol levels.