What is the purpose of Pearson R?

The purpose of Pearson R is to quantify the degree of correlation between two continuous variables. By measuring how closely the data points cluster around a line of best fit, Pearson R allows researchers to make predictions about the values of one variable based on the known values of another variable. This is particularly useful in fields like psychology and education, where understanding relationships between different factors is crucial for developing theories or interventions.

For example, if a strong positive correlation is found between hours studied and test scores using Pearson R, one can predict that as study hours increase, test scores are likely to increase as well. This predictive capability of Pearson R is essential for researchers who wish to understand the dynamics between different variables in their studies.