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Because r is significant and the scatter plot shows a linear trend, the regression line can be used to predict final exam scores.

Method 2: using a table of critical values to make a decision

The 95% Critical Values of the Sample Correlation Coefficient Table can be used to give you a good idea of whether the computed value of r is significant or not . Compare r to the appropriate critical value in the table. If r is not between the positive and negative critical values, then the correlation coefficient is significant. If r is significant, then you may want to use the line for prediction.

Suppose you computed r = 0.801 using n = 10 data points. df = n - 2 = 10 - 2 = 8. The critical values associated with df = 8 are -0.632 and + 0.632. If r <negative critical value or r >positive critical value, then r issignificant. Since r = 0.801 and 0.801>0.632, r is significant and the line may be usedfor prediction. If you view this example on a number line, it will help you.

Horizontal number line with values of -1, -0.632, 0, 0.632, 0.801, and 1. A dashed line above values -0.632, 0, and 0.632 indicates not significant values.
r is not significant between -0.632 and +0.632. r = 0.801>+0.632. Therefore, r is significant.

Try it

For a given line of best fit, you computed that r = 0.6501 using n = 12 data points and the critical value is 0.576. Can the line be used for prediction? Why or why not?

If the scatter plot looks linear then, yes, the line can be used for prediction, because r >the positive critical value.

Suppose you computed r = –0.624 with 14 data points. df = 14 – 2 = 12. The critical values are –0.532 and 0.532. Since –0.624<–0.532, r is significant and the line can be used for prediction

Horizontal number line with values of -0.624, -0.532, and 0.532.
r = –0.624-0.532. Therefore, r is significant.

Try it

For a given line of best fit, you compute that r = 0.5204 using n = 9 data points, and the critical value is 0.666. Can the line be used for prediction? Why or why not?

No, the line cannot be used for prediction, because r <the positive critical value.

Suppose you computed r = 0.776 and n = 6. df = 6 – 2 = 4. The critical values are –0.811 and 0.811. Since –0.811<0.776<0.811, r is not significant, and the line should not be used for prediction.

Horizontal number line with values -0.924, -0.532, and 0.532.
-0.811< r = 0.776<0.811. Therefore, r is not significant.

Try it

For a given line of best fit, you compute that r = –0.7204 using n = 8 data points, and the critical value is = 0.707. Can the line be used for prediction? Why or why not?

Yes, the line can be used for prediction, because r<the negative critical value.

Third-exam vs final-exam example: critical value method

Consider the third exam/final exam example . The line of best fit is: ŷ = –173.51+4.83 x with r = 0.6631 and there are n = 11 data points. Can the regression line be used for prediction? Given a third-exam score ( x value), can we use the line to predict the final exam score (predicted y value)?

  • H 0 : ρ = 0
  • H a : ρ ≠ 0
  • α = 0.05
  • Use the "95% Critical Value" table for r with df = n – 2 = 11 – 2 = 9.
  • The critical values are –0.602 and +0.602
  • Since 0.6631>0.602, r is significant.
  • Decision: Reject the null hypothesis.
  • Conclusion:There is sufficient evidence to conclude that there is a significant linear relationship between the third exam score ( x ) and the final exam score ( y ) because the correlation coefficient is significantly different from zero.

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Source:  OpenStax, Statistics 1. OpenStax CNX. Feb 24, 2014 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11633/1.1
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