correlations

• What is the definition of a correlational study?

  investigating whether there is an association between two variables

  • reveal strength of association
  • does not specify cause/effect
• What is the definition of a positive (+) correlation?

  as one variable increases, the other variable also increases
• What is the definition of a negative (-) correlation?

  as one variable increases, the other variable decreases
• What is the definition of a zero correlation?

  no relationship between the co-variables
• What is the definition of a co-variable?

  variables investigated in a correlation as it is investigating the relationship between them
• What is the definition of a scatter graph?

  type of graph used to display the extent to which two variables are correlated
• What is the definition of a correlation coefficient?

  statistical method for assessing the strength of a correlation

  • (+) / (-) = indicates direction of correlation
  • number between 0-1 = indicates strength of correlation

  -> 0.7/0.8 = strong correlation
• What are the strengths of correlational analysis?

  • Predictive power - e.g, used for business
  • No manipulation - used in situations where an experiment would be unethical
  • Quantification of relationship = scientific credibility
• What are the weaknesses of correlational analysis?

  • Quantification problem - lower correlations can be relevant while higher ones can be irrelevant
  • Lack of cause/effect - no proof one has caused a change in the other
  • Does not recognise extraneous variables
  • Only works for linear relationships - cannot show a relationship between research that has 'optimum points'