title: Improving standards in brain-behavior correlation analyses.
abstract: Associations between two variables, for instance between brain and behavioral measurements, are often studied using correlations, and in particular Pearson correlation. However, Pearson correlation is not robust: outliers can introduce false correlations or mask existing ones. These problems are exacerbated in brain imaging by a widespread lack of control for multiple comparisons, and several issues with data interpretations. We illustrate these important problems associated with brain-behavior correlations, drawing examples from published articles. We make several propositions to alleviate these problems.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi), Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Guillaume A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Rousselet
authors.forename: Cyril R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Pernet