Pearson Correlation in Sleep Studies

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of Pearson correlation in comparing devices used in sleep studies. The speaker questions the effectiveness of using this method as the values obtained may not necessarily be linear. They also mention their lack of understanding regarding the correlation and its relevance to the research goal.
  • #1
trustnoone
17
0
Hi guys, so I've been researching sleep studies and I've been looking at comparison on devices used, and most of them seem to obtain a magnitude value based on the acceleration seen on the device by the user.

What I'm wondering about though is that the comparison between devices seem to be using the Pearson Correlation.
Example:
http://www.journalsleep.org/Articles/290214.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165027000003642

http://www.itc-ltd.co.jp/pdf/Kushida_et_al.pdf

But from what I read, the Pearson correlation only works with linear correlations, while I would assume the values based here would be quite random values, and while I would imagine there is a correlation say between the devices, I wouldn't imagine it to be linear which I thought was what the Pearson correlation needed?

Am I wrong? I will admit, I don't understand the correlation when I tried to read up on it.
 
  • #3
People aren't likely to read specialist papers in order to find out what "a magnitude value based on the acceleration seen on the device" means. Magnitude of what? What is the goal of the investigation? What aspect of devices is being compared?
 

FAQ: Pearson Correlation in Sleep Studies

1. What is Pearson Correlation and how is it used in sleep studies?

Pearson Correlation is a statistical method used to measure the strength and direction of the relationship between two continuous variables. In sleep studies, it is often used to examine the association between sleep variables, such as sleep duration and sleep quality.

2. How is Pearson Correlation calculated in sleep studies?

Pearson Correlation is calculated by dividing the covariance of the two variables by the product of their standard deviations. This produces a correlation coefficient, which can range from -1 to 1. A positive correlation coefficient indicates a positive relationship, while a negative coefficient indicates a negative relationship.

3. What does a high Pearson Correlation coefficient indicate in sleep studies?

A high Pearson Correlation coefficient (close to 1 or -1) indicates a strong relationship between the two variables. In sleep studies, this could mean that there is a strong positive or negative association between two sleep variables. For example, a high correlation between sleep duration and sleep quality would suggest that longer sleep duration is associated with better sleep quality.

4. Is Pearson Correlation the only statistical method used in sleep studies?

No, Pearson Correlation is not the only statistical method used in sleep studies. Other commonly used methods include t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis. These methods may be more appropriate depending on the research question and type of data being analyzed.

5. What are some limitations of using Pearson Correlation in sleep studies?

One limitation of using Pearson Correlation in sleep studies is that it only measures linear relationships between variables. This means that it may not capture more complex relationships, such as non-linear or curvilinear relationships. Additionally, correlation does not imply causation, so a high correlation between two sleep variables does not necessarily mean that one causes the other. Other factors and variables could be influencing the relationship.

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