Assignment 24 Interpreting and writing up correlational findings Homework 1 3 We have spent many days early in the semester exploring correlations and scatter plots Correlation is perhaps the most frequently used form of data analysis Almost all observational studies are correlational and base their findings on correlations between variables of interest Here is a quick review Correlation is designated by the lower case letter r and varies between 1 00 r 1 00 Positive correlation as one value increases the other value tends to increase Negative correlation as one value increases the other value tends to decrease Next to each correlation value a significance value is also listed We accept that if the significance p is less than 05 we accept the finding as statistically significant accept Ha the alternative hypothesis We accept that if the significance p is greater than or equal to 05 we accept the finding as not statistically significant accept H0 the null hypothesis What follows is a study that published in the American Journal of College Health in 2013 We are exploring which factors influence Success among Burman University students In this study there were two measures of success Overall cumulative GPA and Personal Success based on stated goals and progress toward those goals While the article looked at the different influences on both GPA and Personal Success we also created a composite variable simply called Success that weighted GPA and Personal Success equally The output that follows computes correlations between a number of factors and Success the composite variable All independent variables in this study there are 25 of them are rated on low to high scales What is low and what is high is self explanatory for most of the variables However in case there is any ambiguity on any variables a chart immediately below identifies what is low and what is high for each variable Chart showing the meaning of low and high for each variable Financial needs met Class load in units Access to own computer Amount of time by self Time with others Time spent studying Time spent working Length of devotionals Physically active leisure PAL Physically passive leisure PPL Time spent sleeping Time arising Time to bed Time spent with focus on friends Time with romantic partner Time performing ablutions Emotional stability Self esteem Spirituality Time management skills Well defined goals Healthy diet self rating Physical health Locus of control high is internal IQ high score is smart Low in severe poverty Low few class units Low no access Low little time by self Low Little time with others Low little time studying Low no time working for money Low no devotional time Low little time in PAL hiking sports gym workout Low little time in PPL TV video games hanging out Low little sleep Low up early Low to bed early Low little time with friends Low little or no time with romantic partner Low little time in the wash room Low very low emotional stability Low very low self esteem Low Low personal spirituality Low Poor time management skills Low no goals or poorly defined Low very miserable diet Low very poor physical health Low manipulated by circumstances Low low intelligence Plenty of money High many class units High always access High Lots of time by self High Lots of time with others High lots of time studying High Many hours working for money High lots of devotional time High Lots of time in PAL High Lots of time in PPL High lots of sleep High up late High to bed late High lots of time with friends High Lots of time with RP High Lots of time in the wash room High Very high emotional stability High Very high self esteem High High personal spirituality High Excellent time management skills High Very clearly defined goals High Excellent quality of diet High Excellent physical health High In control of circumstances High High intelligence High Here are instructions for what you do is on the following page I have completed the first two as an example 1 Circle each significant r value and the Sig value among the 25 variables there s 18 2 Write up each significant finding in correct APA American Psychological Association format 3 Rank order the significant differences only from the greatest difference to the smallest Note if Sig 1 tail is shown at 000 correct APA format is to express this as follows p 001 Dependent variable Total Success GPA and Personal Success weighted equally Pearson Correlation Sig 1 tail Financial needs met Class load in units Access to own computer Amount of time by self Time with others Time spent studying Time spent working Length of devotionals Physically active leisure Physically passive leisure Time spent sleeping Time arising Time to bed Time spent with focus on friends Time with romantic partner Time performing ablutions Emotional stability Self esteem Spirituality Time management skills Well defined goals Healthy diet self rating Physical health Locus of control high is internal IQ high score is smart 109 230 261 049 036 131 128 207 031 235 113 235 060 216 033 054 300 229 274 464 450 385 361 121 089 048 000 000 228 291 023 026 001 318 000 043 000 183 000 308 208 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 033 089 N 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 231 1 Students that have better finances tend to have greater success r 109 n 231 p 048 2 Students with a heavier class load tend to have greater success r 230 n 231 p 001 Table that rank orders from strongest to the weakest but significant findings Rank order based on the r value DV Total success significance Meaning r 1 Time management skills p 001 Better time management skills greater success 2 Well defined goals p 001 More clearly defined goals greater success 464 450 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Final question The purpose of the study is to provide research based data on how to have greater success Please identify the five areas where improvement would benefit your own success 1 2 3 4 5