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Glite Dictionary
first-order correlation

first-order correlation

8.6
The relationship between two things measured after keeping one other thing the same
  • noun
  • /ˈfɜrstˌɔrdər ˌkɔrəˈleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : correlación de primer orden
  • The first-order correlation between these two variables was modest, but even when entered last in the regression equation, expectation for success was a significant predictor of disappointment.

Examples

  • In both the first-order correlations and the regression analysis, there were significant relationships between disappointment and the three hypothesized predictor variables: fan investment of effort, fan dedication, and fan expectation for success.

    Academic text (2009)

  • There is some evidence to support this interpretation, as the first-order correlation between age and expectation for performance was also inverse and significant.

    Academic text (2009)

  • A preliminary analysis was conducted to examine first-order correlations among age, sources of stress factors, total burnout, and intention to quit umpiring.

    Academic text (1995)

  • While the first-order correlations are generally consistent with the three hypotheses of this study, there are many significant correlations among the potential predictors of disappointment.

    Academic text (2009)

  • The researchers found a strong first-order correlation between stress levels and job satisfaction when controlling for external factors.

  • In the study, the first-order correlation revealed how much influence age had on the likelihood of experiencing burnout.

  • We needed to establish a first-order correlation to see if mood changes affected productivity, keeping other variables constant.

Synonyms

partial correlation
vsfirst-order correlation
  • Specialized
7.7

How two things are related after removing the effect of a third thing

controls only a single other variable rather than several

Surface Forms

first-order correlation singular
first-order correlations plural

Morphology

first-order + correlation

The element 'first-order' can be parsed as 'first' (one) + 'order' (degree/level) combined with 'correlation', so a learner who knows the constituents could infer a general sense of a 'one‑degree' or 'primary' correlation. However, the specific statistical sense — a partial correlation that controls for a single variable — is technical and not directly predictable from everyday meanings, so full understanding requires domain knowledge.

Etymology

First-order correlation uses first-order to mean 'first level' and correlation to mean a 'connection' between two things. Imagine checking the link between two things while you keep a third thing steady; that's why it means the connection you see after you 'control' one other factor.