Charles Spearman (1863-1945) British Psychologist and pioneer of IQ theory

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

What is the correlation coefficient r ?

Does being good at maths make you better at biology?

Student Anand Bernard Charlotte Demi Eustace Ferdinand Gemma Hector Ivor Maths exam score 57 45 72 78 53 63 86 98 59 Biology exam score 83 37 41 85 56 85 77 87 70

Jasmine

71

59

Is there a statistically significant correlation between these two sets of results?

Spearmans Rank Correlation Coefficient: rs Where:

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

Step 1: Rank each set of data (lowest to highest)

Student Maths exam score 57 45 72 78 53 63 86 98 59 71 Maths rank 3 1 7 8 2 5 9 10 Biology exam score 83 37 41 85 56 85 77 87 70 59 Biology rank 7 1 2 8.5 8 3 8.5 9 6 10

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

Step 2: Work out the differences in ranks (maths biology)

Student Maths exam score 57 45 72 Maths rank 3 1 7 Biology exam score 83 37 41 Biology rank 7 1 2 D D2 16 0 25 0.25 1 12.25 9 0 1 4 D2 = 68.5

Alex Bernard Charlotte

-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

Step 3: Work out the square of the differences

Step 4: Work out the sum of the square of the differences

Step 5: Work out the correlation coefficient, rs

rs = 1

[N

6 xD2
3

Where:

] N)

N = 10 D2 = 68.5

6 x 68.5) rs = 1 103 10) 411 =1990

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

rs critical values (P=0.05) No. of pairs 8 9 Critical value 0.74 0.68

10
12 14

0.65
0.59 0.54

Mad Geoffs Chaotic Firework Factory

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

Resident Karl (Caretaker) Lillie Melanie Nigel Olga Peter

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

Blood cortisol level (g/ml) 13.4 22.6 23.4 18.6

Cortisol rank

D2

Karl Lillie Melanie Nigel

2 8 10 12

1 2 3 4.5 4.5 6 7.5 7.5 10

6 11 12 10 9 8 7

-5 -9 -9 -5.5 -4.5 -2 0.5 3.5 7

25 81 81 30.25 20.25 4 0.25 12.25 49

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) rs = 1 123 - 12 3078 =11716

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.