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Statistics review 7: Correlation and regression

Viv Bewick1*, Liz Cheek1 and Jonathan Ball2

Author Affiliations

1 Senior Lecturer, School of Computing, Mathematical and Information Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK

2 Lecturer in Intensive Care Medicine, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK

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Critical Care 2003, 7:451-459 doi:10.1186/cc2401

Published: 5 November 2003

Abstract

The present review introduces methods of analyzing the relationship between two quantitative variables. The calculation and interpretation of the sample product moment correlation coefficient and the linear regression equation are discussed and illustrated. Common misuses of the techniques are considered. Tests and confidence intervals for the population parameters are described, and failures of the underlying assumptions are highlighted.

Keywords:
coefficient of determination; correlation coefficient; least squares regression line