How to Report Correlation Results in APA Format

APA Reporting Template

Use this template to report your correlation results. Replace the bracketed placeholders with your values.

Pearson Correlation

A Pearson correlation was computed to assess the relationship between [variable 1] and [variable 2]. There was a [positive/negative] correlation between the two variables, r([df]) = [r-value], p = [p-value].

Spearman Correlation

A Spearman rank-order correlation was computed to assess the relationship between [variable 1] and [variable 2]. There was a [positive/negative] correlation between the two variables, r_s([df]) = [r-value], p = [p-value].

Multiple Correlations (Narrative)

Pearson correlations were computed among [number] variables. [Variable 1] was significantly positively correlated with [variable 2], r([df]) = [r-value], p = [p-value], and [variable 3], r([df]) = [r-value], p = [p-value]. The full correlation matrix is presented in Table [number].

Worked Example

Scenario: A researcher examined the relationship between weekly study hours and GPA among 52 undergraduate students.

Results:

• $r(50) = .64, p < .001$

APA Write-Up:

A Pearson correlation was computed to assess the relationship between weekly study hours and GPA. There was a strong, positive correlation between the two variables, r(50) = .64, p < .001. Students who studied more hours per week tended to have higher GPAs. The coefficient of determination ($r^2$ = .41) indicated that study hours accounted for 41% of the variance in GPA.

Reporting Checklist

• [ ] Named the type of correlation (Pearson, Spearman, point-biserial)
• [ ] Stated both variables
• [ ] Reported r with degrees of freedom: r(df) where df = N - 2
• [ ] Reported the exact p-value (or p < .001)
• [ ] Described the direction (positive or negative)
• [ ] Described the strength (small, medium, or large per Cohen's guidelines)
• [ ] Considered reporting $r^2$ as a measure of shared variance
• [ ] Used italics for statistical symbols (r, p, N)
• [ ] Reported values to two decimal places
• [ ] Included a correlation matrix table when reporting multiple correlations

Common Mistakes

1. Omitting degrees of freedom — Report r(50), not just r = .64. Degrees of freedom for a correlation are N - 2.
2. Implying causation — Correlation does not establish causation. Write "was associated with" or "was related to," not "caused" or "led to."
3. Not reporting direction and strength — Always describe whether the correlation is positive or negative and characterize its magnitude (small: .10, medium: .30, large: .50).
4. Rounding to one decimal place — Report r = .64, not r = .6. Use two decimal places.
5. Ignoring assumption violations — If your data are not normally distributed or contain outliers, report Spearman's r_s instead of Pearson's r and explain why.
6. Failing to report multiple testing corrections — If you computed many correlations, note whether you applied a Bonferroni or other correction to control for Type I error.

Non-Significant Results

If your correlation is not significant, still report all the same information:

A Pearson correlation was computed to assess the relationship between weekly study hours and GPA. There was no significant correlation between the two variables, r(50) = .12, p = .398. Study hours were not significantly associated with GPA in this sample.

Results Table Format

Correlation Matrix

Present a correlation matrix with means and standard deviations:

Note. *p < .05. **p < .01.

Report only the lower triangle of the matrix (the upper triangle is redundant). Place means and standard deviations in adjacent columns or in a separate row below the matrix.