A researcher notices a positive correlation between the height of a plant and nutrient concentration over time. Based on this observation, what conclusion does he reach?
A. The height of a plant increases in the absence and presence of the nutrients
B. When the amount of nutrients available to the plant decreases, its height increases.
C. The amount of nutrients available to a plant is independent of how tall the plant gets
D. When the amount of nutrients available to the plant increases, its height also increases.
Because this is a positive correlation, if the nutrient concentration increases or decreases, plant height will either increase or decrease accordingly.
While analyzing data, scientists tend to observe cause-and-effect relationships. These relationships can be quantified using correlations. Correlations measure the amount of linear association between two variables. There are three types of correlations:
Positive correlation:
As one variable increases, the other variable also increases. This is also known as a direct correlation.
Negative correlation:
As one variable increases, the other decreases. The opposite is true if one variable decreases. A negative correlation is also known as an inverse correlation or an indirect correlation.
No correlation:
There is no connection or relationship between two variables.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.
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