Correlations

• What is the definition of correlations?

  Relationship between two variables
• Why are there no IVs/DVs in correlations?

  Because they are uncontrolled relationships
• When are correlations particularly useful?

  When practical or ethical limitations exist
• Give an example of a correlation.

  Poverty and crime relationship
• What is a positive correlation?

  High score on one → High score on the other
• What happens in a positive correlation example?

  Beer consumption increases as temperature rises
• What is a negative correlation?

  High score on one → Low score on the other
• What is an example of a negative correlation?

  Happiness decreases as time spent on statistics increases
• What does no correlation mean?

  Scores are unrelated
• Provide an example of no correlation.

  No link between lead production and belly-button fluff
• What is a correlation coefficient?

  Statistic measuring correlation from -1 to +1
• What does the sign of a correlation coefficient indicate?

  The direction of the correlation (positive/negative)
• What does the number in a correlation coefficient indicate?

  The strength of the correlation
• What does a correlation coefficient of +0.36 indicate?

  A weak positive correlation
• What does a correlation coefficient of -1 represent?

  Perfect negative correlation
• What does a correlation coefficient of 0 indicate?

  No correlation
• What does a correlation coefficient of +1 represent?

  Perfect positive correlation
• What are the strengths of correlations?

  • Useful when experiments aren’t possible
  • Helps examine relationships
  • Acts as a starting point for further research
• What are the weaknesses of correlations?

  • No cause and effect established
  • No control over variables
  • Risks of misinterpretation
• Why can't correlations establish cause and effect?

  There is no control over variables
• What is the definition of a correlation?

  A relationship between two variables
• Why are correlations useful when experiments are not possible?

  They allow you to examine relationships between variables
• What are the three types of correlations?

  Positive, negative, and zero
• What is the relationship between two variables in a positive correlation?

  High score on one variable corresponds to high score on the other
• What is the relationship between two variables in a negative correlation?

  High score on one variable corresponds to low score on the other
• What is the range of possible values for a correlation coefficient?

  • 1 to +1
• What does the sign of a correlation coefficient indicate?

  The direction of the relationship (positive or negative)
• What does the magnitude of a correlation coefficient indicate?

  The strength of the relationship
• What are some examples of a positive correlation?

  Beer consumption and temperature, happiness and time spent on statistics
• What are some examples of a negative correlation?

  Happiness and time spent on statistics, poverty and crime
• What is an example of no correlation?

  Lead production and belly-button fluff
• How can correlations be useful as a starting point for further research?

  They can guide researchers to areas that warrant further investigation
• Why can't correlations establish cause and effect relationships?

  Because they do not control for other variables that may be influencing the relationship
• What are the key characteristics of the three types of correlations?

  • Positive correlation: High score on one variable corresponds to high score on the other
  • Negative correlation: High score on one variable corresponds to low score on the other
  • Zero correlation: Scores on the two variables are unrelated
• What are the risks of misinterpreting correlations?

  Correlations can be misused or exaggerated, especially in the media
• How do correlation coefficients indicate the strength and direction of a relationship?

  • Sign (+/-) indicates direction of relationship
  • Magnitude (closer to ±1) indicates strength of relationship
  • Scale:
  • -1 = Perfect negative correlation
  • -0.8 = Strong negative correlation
  • 0 = No correlation
  • +0.8 = Strong positive correlation
  • +1 = Perfect positive correlation
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using correlations in research?

  Strengths:

  • Useful when experiments are not possible
  • Can serve as a starting point for further research

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Cannot establish cause and effect
  • Susceptible to influence from unwanted variables
  • Risk of misinterpretation and exaggeration