Step-by-step explanation:
Correlation: The relation between two sets of data, a positive or direct correlation exists when both sets vary in the same direction (both sets decrease); a negative or inverse correlation exists when one set of data increases as the other decreases. When two sets of data are strongly linked together we say they have a High Correlation. A correlation is assumed to be linear (following a line). Correlation can have a value: 1 is a perfect positive correlation. The correlation coefficient is a statistical calculation that is used to examine the relationship between two sets of data. The value of the correlation coefficient tells us about the strength and the nature of the relationship. Correlation coefficient values can range between +1.00 to -1.00. If the value is exactly +1.00, it means that there is a "perfect" positive relationship between two numbers, while a value of exactly -1.00 indicates a "perfect" negative relationship. Most correlation coefficient values lie somewhere between these two values.
There are several different ways to calculate the correlation coefficient, but one of the simplest ways is with Excel.
Open Excel 2007 and sum in one column the numbers for the first set of data. For example, you would add the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 in the A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and A7 cells of your Excel worksheet. In a second column, sum the numbers for the second set of data. For example, you would add the numbers 5, 2, 6, 6, 7 and 4 in the B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 and B7 cells of your Excel worksheet. Your goal is to find the correlation coefficient for these two sets of data.
