Correlational research

Cards (11)

  • Correlational research is the extent to which two variables are associated in a trend or a systematic pattern. Normally quantitive data
  • Data for correlations can be acquired through
    • Observations
    • Questionnaires
    • Experiments
  • Co variables are the two variables in a correlational study. There are no IV and DV
  • A positive correlation is high values on one variable are associated with high values on the other variable OR low low
  • A negative correlation is where high values are associated with low values on the other variable
  • A scatter diagram is a visual representation of a correlational study. the strength is indicated by the strength and the direction is indicated by the slope
  • No correlation = No association
  • A correlation coefficient can be any number between -1 and +1. This number says the strength
  • 1 is perfect
    0.7+ is strong
    0.7-0.4 is mid
    0.001-0.3 is weak
  • Strengths of correlational research
    • Identification of relationships when it is difficult or unethical to manipulate IV
    • A starting point for future research (funding)
    • Objective and easily replicated using quantitive data
  • Weaknesses of correlational research
    • No cause and effect relationship (unknown variable)
    • Can be measured incorrectly (hard to quantify)
    • correlations can be missused by the media