Question

A researcher reports that the farther college students are from their parents, the more often they communicate with their parents (either by phone or by e-mail). Is this an example of a positive correlation or a negative correlation?

Answer 1

Positive correlation

Explanation:

A positive correlation occurs whereby in a relationship between two variables, both variable move in the same direction meaning as one increases, the other also increases.

In this study, an increase in distance enforces an increase in communication with the parents.

Answer 2

Positive correlation

Explanation:

A positive correlation exists between two variables, when both variables tend to move along the same direction. In order words, when one particular variable increases, there is also an increase in the other variable.

The case stated above is an example of positive correlation, because, the farther the students are from their parents, the more often they communicate with them. As distance increases, so does the number of, perhaps, phone calls increases as well.