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Correlation is a statistical method used to assess a possible linear association between two continuous variables. It is simple both to calculate and to interpret. However, misuse of correlation is so common among researchers that some statisticians have wished that the method had never been devised at all. The aim of this article is to provide a guide to appropriate use of correlation in medical research and to highlight some misuse. Examples of the applications of the correlation coefficient have been provided using data from statistical simulations as well as real data. Rule of thumb for interpreting size of a correlation coefficient has been provided.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi

Publication Date

09/2012

Volume

24

Pages

69 - 71

Addresses

Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Program ; Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Malawi ; The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L69 3GA, UK, University of Liverpool.

Keywords

Humans, Biomedical Research, Research Design, Statistics as Topic, Guidelines as Topic