Skip to main content
Log in

Point biserial correlation coefficient and its generalization

  • Published:
Psychometrika Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The problem of measuring the association between two characters, one quantitative and the other qualitative, is discussed. The formula for the large sample standard error of the point biserial correlation coefficient under general conditions is derived. The point multiserial correlation coefficient is introduced and some of its properties are examined. Tests of different hypotheses appropriate to these types of problems are formulated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cramer, H.Mathematical methods of statistics. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1946.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Cureton, E. E. Rank-biserial correlation.Psychometrika, 1956,21, 287–290.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Das Gupta, S. A note on weighting response categories.Proc. Indian Sci. Congr. Session, 1959. (Abstract)

  4. Fisher, R. A.Statistical methods for research workers. (11th ed.) London: Oliver and Boyd, 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Guilford, J. P.Psychometric methods. (2nd ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  6. James, G. S. Tests of linear hypotheses in univariate and multivariate analysis when the ratio of the population variances are known.Biometrika, 1954,41, 19–43.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Kendall, M. G.The advanced theory of statistics. Vol. II. (3rd ed.) London: Griffin, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Lev, J. The point biserial coefficient of correlation.Ann. math. Statist., 1949,20, 125–126.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Roy, S. N.Some aspects of multivariate analysis. New York: Wiley, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Siegel, S.Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1956.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Tate, R. F. The biserial and point biserial correlation coefficient. Univ. North Carolina, Inst. of Statist., Mimeo. ser. 14, 1949.

  12. Tate, R. F. Correlations between a discrete and a continuous chance variable.Ann. math. Statist., 1954,25, 603–607.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wherry, R. J. and Taylor, E. K. The relation of multiserial eta to other measures of correlation.Psychometrika, 1946,11, 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

I wish to pay my sincerest thanks to Dr. C. R. Rao, Dr. S. K. Mitra, and the reviewers for their valuable suggestions.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gupta, S.D. Point biserial correlation coefficient and its generalization. Psychometrika 25, 393–408 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289756

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289756

Keywords

Navigation