Question

A study of 267 college students investigated the impact of smartphones on student connectedness and​ out-of-class involvement. One finding showed that students reporting a higher perceived usefulness of smartphones in educational settings used their smartphone a higher number of times to send or read email for class purposes than students reporting a lower perceived usefulness of smartphones in educational settings.
Does the study suggest that perceived usefulness of smartphones in educational settings and use of smartphones for class purposes are positively correlated or negatively correlated?

a. The study suggests a negative correlation because the study shows that as perceived usefulness of smartphones increases, the number of times smartphones are used to send or read email for class purposes tends to decrease.
b. The study suggests a positive correlation because the study shows that as perceived usefulness of smartphones increases, the number of times smartphones are used to send or read email for class purposes tends to increase.
c. The study suggests a negative correlation because the study shows that as perceived usefulness of smartphones increases, the number of times smartphones are used to send or read email for class purposes tends to increase.
d. The study suggests a positive correlation because the study shows that as perceived usefulness of smartphones increases, the number of times smartphones are used to send or read email for class purposes tends to decrease.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. The study suggests a positive correlation because the study shows that as perceived usefulness of smartphones increases, the number of times smartphones are used to send or read email for class purposes tends to increase.

Explanation:

A positive correlation means the factors related increase or decrease together, while in negative correlation the increase of one factor leads to the decrease of the second factor. In this context, the study shows a positive correlation between the perception of how useful smartphones are for class purposes and the use of smartphones for these purposes. This is because those students that perceived higher usefulness also used more these devices for class purposes, which shows an increase perceived usefulness leads to an increase in the use of these devices for class purposes or that both factors increase together (option B).