Spearman Rank Coefficient (\(\rho\))

Authors
Affiliations

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Abbreviations & other names:

Comparison to other tests

See Spearman Rank coefficient (\(\rho\)) vs pearson product-moment correlation (r) vs linear regression

Purpose

  • Similar to Pearson Correlation Coefficient1
  • Ordinal data1
  • Not restricted to Continuous variables1
  • Ranking converts nonlinear data into a linear relationship1

Measure: Strength of relationship between the ranks of the values of 2 variables1

Range

-1 to +11

Interpretation

Observed correlation does NOT assume causation only Association1

References

1.
Schober P, Boer C, Schwarte LA. Correlation Coefficients: Appropriate Use and Interpretation. Anesthesia and Analgesia. 2018;126(5):1763-1768. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000002864

Citation

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