How Accurate Is the Pearson r -from-Z Approximation? A Monte Carlo Simulation Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10124365 |
|---|---|
| Authors | James B Hittner (0000-0002-5766-9763, College of Charleston, corresponding author), Kim May (College of Charleston) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Volume | 139 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 68-77 |
| Publication date | 2012-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Journal of General Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-1309 • E-ISSN: 1940-0888 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00221309.2012.661376 |
| PMID | 24836910 |
| OpenAlex | W2085311412 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 3 |
The Pearson r-from-Z approximation estimates the sample correlation (as an effect size measure) from the ratio of two quantities: the standard normal deviate equivalent (Z-score) corresponding to a one-tailed p-value divided by the square root of the total (pooled) sample size. The formula has utility in meta-analytic work when reports of research contain minimal statistical information. Although simple to implement, the accuracy of the Pearson r-from-Z approximation has not been empirically evaluated. To address this omission, we performed a series of Monte Carlo simulations. Results indicated that in some cases the formula did accurately estimate the sample correlation. However, when sample size was very small (N = 10) and effect sizes were small to small-moderate (ds of 0.1 and 0.3), the Pearson r-from-Z approximation was very inaccurate. Detailed figures that provide guidance as to when the Pearson r-from-Z formula will likely yield valid inferences are presented
Mean squared error · Monte Carlo method · Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient · Physics · Sample size determination · Series (stratigraphy · Statistical physics · Statistics · Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life · Mathematics · Meta-analysis and systematic reviews · Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,08 |
| Citation span | 2013 - 2013 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |