Tests of Pearson's Correlation (3 of 6)

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  1. The probability computed in Step 4 is compared to the significance level stated in Step 2. Since the probability value (0.007) is less than the significance level (0.05), the correlation is significant.

  2. Since the effect is significant, the null hypothesis is rejected. It is concluded that the correlation between job satisfaction and job performance is greater than zero.

  3. A report of this finding might be as follows:
    There was a small but significant relationship between job satisfaction and job performance, r = .27, t(98) = 2.78, p = .007.
    The expression "t(98) = 2.78" means that a t test with 98 degrees of freedom was equal to 2.78. The probability value is given by "p = .007." Since it was not mentioned whether the test was one- or two-tailed, it is assumed the test was two tailed. The relationship between job satisfaction and job performance was described as "small." Refer to the section on "scatterplots of example values of r" to see what a relationship of that size looks like.
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