<p>Good morning,
I am writing a dissertation for my master's degree in psychology. I have to do statistical studies on data that I have collected.
I want to proceed with a correlational analysis.</p>
<p>Hypothesis: The higher the children's autistic trait score, the greater the correlation between perceived predilection interests and perceived cognitive strengths.</p>
<p>I compare the results of a high autistic trait group to a low autistic trait group.
I have 9 normal numeric variables and 8 ordinal and therefore non-normal variables. (13 participants)</p>
<p>for the moment I used a spearman correlation but I have a doubt on the choice of my statistical analysis to use because of my ordinal and non-normal variables.</p>
<p>Can I use the spearman method ? if not, what can I use?</p>
<p>Thank you for your help.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-23T13:49:57.797Z
Welcome. What are these variables? Likert scaled ratings? Can you give examples of the data?
AliceD
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-24T11:48:27.587Z
Yes, the ordinal variable (8 variables) data were obtained using a 5-point Likert scale. They are part of a questionnaire on perceived strengths. Do I have to transfer the data for it to be normal? And if so, how?
lau.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-26T06:12:13.443Z
@lau are the 8 variables you used items from the same scale? i.e. you can derive a sum score for all 8 responses? also, spearman's correlation is non-parametric, meaning there is no assumption of normality. your data can also be ordinal. if you explain a little more about what data you have, it will be easier to help you. i suspect that your small sample size may be an issue.
faustus
<methodology><statistics><correlation>
Choice of statistical analysis for correlational study
lau.
# Choice of statistical analysis for correlational study

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-06-23)

Good morning,
I am writing a dissertation for my master's degree in psychology. I have to do statistical studies on data that I have collected.
I want to proceed with a correlational analysis.

Hypothesis: The higher the children's autistic trait score, the greater the correlation between perceived predilection interests and perceived cognitive strengths.

I compare the results of a high autistic trait group to a low autistic trait group.
I have 9 normal numeric variables and 8 ordinal and therefore non-normal variables. (13 participants)

for the moment I used a spearman correlation but I have a doubt on the choice of my statistical analysis to use because of my ordinal and non-normal variables.

Can I use the spearman method ? if not, what can I use?

Thank you for your help.

**Tags:** methodology, statistics, correlation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome. What are these variables? Likert scaled ratings? Can you give examples of the data?  
> **username_0**: Yes, the ordinal variable (8 variables) data were obtained using a 5-point Likert scale. They are part of a questionnaire on perceived strengths. Do I have to transfer the data for it to be normal? And if so, how?  
> **username_2**: @lau are the 8 variables you used items from the same scale? i.e. you can derive a sum score for all 8 responses? also, spearman's correlation is non-parametric, meaning there is no assumption of normality. your data can also be ordinal. if you explain a little more about what data you have, it will be easier to help you. i suspect that your small sample size may be an issue.  

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## 0 answers

