1. Spearman Rank Order Correlation Example
A researcher wishes to determine if a significant relationship exists between ratings on job satisfaction and ratings on following safety procedures.
Question 1 asks “How satisfied are you with your job”
Very dissatisfied Neutral Very satisfied
Question 2 asks “How often do you follow safety procedures?”
Never Sometimes Always
Both variables are ordinal so the Spearman is appropriate. The researcher determines which the dependent and independent variable.

2. Step 1: Data Setup
The independent variable is the “x” variable and the dependent is the “y”.  X Y
Case
Question 1
Question 2 1 2 6 7 3 5 4 8 10 9

3. Hypothesis Setup
Ho: There is no relationship between ratings on job satisfaction and ratings on following safety procedures.
H1: There is a relationship between ratings on job satisfaction and ratings on following safety procedures.
Use an Alpha Level=.05

4. Data Table Case Question 1 Question 2 Difference Difference2 1 3 Total6 7 3 5 4 8 10 9
Total 24

5. Spearman Correlation Formula
The correlation coefficient of .85 is a strong correlation. We must use a
T-test to determine if it is significant.

6. Is the Correlation Significant?
Now we need to determine if the correlation coefficient of .85 is significant.
This is done by performing a t-test.

7. T-test for Correlations
To interpret the .85, compare the 4.47 to the critical score. If the obtained score is greater than the critical score, reject the Null and accept the alternative. The critical score from the t-table at .05 and DF = 8 is (NOTE: On a T-table, use the .025 column since .025 at one end and .025 at the other end gives you .05).

8. T-Table
The critical score from the t-table at .05 and DF = 8 is (NOTE: On a T-table, use the .025 column since .025 at one end and .025 at the other end gives you .05).

9. Conclusions
Since 4.47 is greater than 2.31, Reject the Null Hypothesis and conclude there is a significant relationship between the rankings on the 2 scales.
There is a significant relationship between the rankings of employees on job satisfaction and ratings on following safety procedures. The more satisfied, the more likely they will follow procedures.