Abstract
This paper presents briefly the rationale of the tetrachoric correlation coefficient. Pearson's results are outlined and several estimates of the coefficient are given. These estimates are compared with Pearson's expressions to determine the relative accuracy of the various approximations in determining the tetrachoric correlation coefficient.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Camp, B. H.The mathematical part of elementary statistics. New York: D. C. Heath, 1931. Pp. 300–314.
Castellan, N. J., Jr. and Link, S. W. Tetrachoric correlation program for the IBM 709/7090 (CPA 174).Behav. Sci., 1964,9, 292.
Kendall, M. G. and Stuart, A.Advanced theory of statistics (Vol. I) (2nd ed.). London: Griffin, 1958.
Pearson, K. I. Mathematical contribution to the theory of evolution. VII. On the correlation of characters not quantitatively measurable.Phil. Trans. roy. Soc. London. 1901,195A, 1–47.
Walker, H. M. and Lev, J.,Statistical inference. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1953. Pp. 271–275.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Preparation of this paper was supported in part by Fellowship 1-F1-MH-24, 324-01, from the National Institute of Mental Health; and in part by the Tri-Ethnic Research Project, Grant 3M-9156 from the National Institute of Mental Health to the Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado. This paper comprises Publication Number 57 of the Institute. The author would like to thank D. E. Bailey for his helpful comments and criticisms.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Castellan, N.J. On the estimation of the tetrachoric correlation coefficient. Psychometrika 31, 67–73 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289458
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289458