cor_data: Correlation and Data Generation

In exams.forge: Support for Compiling Examination Tasks using the 'exams' Package

Correlation and Data Generation

Description

Generates a data set based on x and y for a given target correlation r according to stats::cor(). The algorithm modifies the order of the y's, therefore is guaranteed that the (marginal) distribution of x and y will not be modified. Please note that it is not guaranteed that the final correlation will be the desired correlation; the algorithm interactively modifies the order. If you are unsatisfied with the result, it might help to increase maxit.

Usage

cor_data(
  x,
  y,
  r,
  method = c("pearson", "kendall", "spearman"),
  ...,
  maxit = 1000
)

dcorr(x, y, r, method = c("pearson", "kendall", "spearman"), ..., maxit = 1000)

Arguments

x	numeric: given x values
y	numeric: given y values
r	numeric: desired correlation
method	character: indicates which correlation coefficient is to be computed (default: '"pearson")
...	further parameters given to stats::cor()
maxit	numeric: maximal number of iterations (default: 1000)

Value

A matrix with two columns and an attribute interim for intermediate values as matrix. The rows of the matrix contain:

• if method=="pearson": x_i, y_i, x_i-bar{x}, y_i-\bar{y}, (x_i-bar{x})^2, (y_i-\bar{y})^2, and (x_i-bar{x})((y_i-\bar{y}).

• if method=="kendall":

  • x_i: The original x values.

  • y_i: The original y values.

  • p_i: The number of concordant pairs.

  • q_i: The number of discordant pairs.

• if method=="spearman": x_i, y_i, p_i (concordant pairs), and q_i (disconcordant pairs). In a final step a vector with the row sums is appended as further column.

Examples

x <- runif(6)
y <- runif(6)
xy <- cor_data(x, y, r=0.6)
cbind(x, y, xy)

exams.forge documentation built on Aug. 21, 2025, 5:41 p.m.