DA0-002 Data Analysis Practice Question
A data analyst calculates a correlation coefficient of -0.85 between temperature and heating costs. What does this indicate?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misinterpretation of the sign of the correlation coefficient, where candidates confuse a strong negative correlation with a weak one or mistakenly think a negative value implies no relationship.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Strong negative correlation
A correlation coefficient of -0.85 indicates a strong negative linear relationship between temperature and heating costs. As temperature increases, heating costs decrease significantly, and the magnitude of 0.85 (close to -1) confirms the strength of this inverse association.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
No correlation
Why it's wrong here
A coefficient of -0.85 indicates a strong negative relationship, not the absence of one; near-zero values signify no correlation. The option is tempting because negative values are sometimes mistaken for weak association, but the magnitude 0.85 is high, and it would be correct only if the coefficient were close to zero.
- ✗
Strong positive correlation
Why it's wrong here
A negative coefficient of -0.85 indicates a strong inverse relationship, so labelling it positive reverses the sign; as temperature rises, heating costs fall. The option is tempting because 0.85 is a large magnitude, but direction is set by the sign, and it would be correct only for a positive value such as +0.85.
- ✓
Strong negative correlation
Why this is correct
A coefficient of -0.85 indicates a strong inverse relationship: as temperature rises, heating costs tend to fall substantially. The magnitude (0.85) approaches -1, signalling a tight linear association, while the negative sign gives the direction. This satisfies the stem's requirement to interpret both strength and direction of the correlation.
- ✗
Weak negative correlation
Why it's wrong here
A coefficient of -0.85 denotes a strong negative correlation, since magnitude near 1 signals strength regardless of sign. Labelling it weak misreads that magnitude. The weak label would fit values nearer zero, such as -0.2, where temperature explains little of the variation in heating costs.
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